Stats NZ consulting on well-being indicators

Statistics New Zealand is seeking public feedback about indicators to measure success for Aotearoa New Zealand.

These indicators are intended to measure more than just economic success (e.g. Gross Domestic Product) by including wellbeing and sustainable development.

Stats NZ says:

"The indicators will build on international best practice and will be tailored to New Zealand by including cultural and te ao Māori perspectives."

Indicators Aotearoa New Zealand - Ngā Tūtohu Aotearoa will be used by the government, councils, businesses, communities, and individuals to make choices around wellbeing and sustainability. They will also be used in domestic and international reporting, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs include gender equality and violence prevention.

To help understand this project and give feedback, Stats NZ has produced a video, fact sheets and presentations. For more information about the project and consultation see the Stats NZ website. You can submit feedback through to the end of September.

You can have your say by:

• Filling in the Stats NZ submission form
• Completing the online poll
• Commenting on the Stats NZ Facebook page
• Emailing indicators@stats.govt.nz.

Statistics Minister James Shaw said:

“As part of the Green Party’s Confidence and Supply Agreement with Labour, we are beginning the process of compiling a list of around 100 indicators which will make up a set of measures known as Indicators Aotearoa New Zealand or Ngā Tūtohu Aotearoa. What gets measured gets managed, and this work is part of the Government’s wider programme to make policy and measure success in ways that ensure meaningful improvements in our lives and our country. In next year’s Budget, Finance Minister Grant Robertson will ensure New Zealand’s success is not just measured by how much the economy has grown but by whether our people and our environment are better off too."

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Related news

The indicators are intended to align with the Treasury's Living Standards Framework. Treasury is developing the Framework to help guide policy. Earlier this year Treasury published a series of discussion papers on wellbeing measures. More recently, Treasury commissioned a proposal for a Living Standards Dashboard related to monitoring intergenerational wellbeing.

The Government has also begun work on developing a Child Wellbeing Strategy.

The Government is currently seeking feedback on the proposed approach to "investing for social wellbeing," and a policy for the protection and use of personal information.

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Updates

The Treasury has published a new paper, A Pacific Perspective on The Living Standards Framework and Wellbeing.

The Government will also be publishing a discussion paper on a te ao Māori perspective on the Living Standards Framework.

The Treasury has published a new paper, An Asian Perspective and the New Zealand Treasury Living Standards Framework.

Ara Taiohi and ActionStation have published a report on youth wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand: Ngā Kōrero Hauora O Ngā Taiohi: A community-powered report on conversations with 1,000 young people (2018).