<P> The New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings (Māori: Te Tatauranga o ngā Tāngata Huri Noa i Aotearoa me ō rātou Whare Noho) is a national population and housing census conducted by government department Statistics New Zealand every five years . There have been thirty - three censuses since 1851 . In addition to providing detailed information about national demographics, the results of the census play an important part in the calculation of resource allocation to local service providers . </P> <P> The 2018 census took place on Tuesday, 6 March 2018 . The next census is expected in March 2023 . </P>

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