Stats NZ apologises for prosecution threat

The threat was scrawled under a Statistics NZ letterhead. Photo credit: Facebook/Supplied
The threat was scrawled under a Statistics NZ letterhead. Photo credit: Facebook/Supplied

Statistics NZ has apologised after a staff member threatened to prosecute a Hamilton woman for not filling out a survey.

The woman's partner posted a photo of the threat on Facebook.

"This is a compulsory govt survey. I am the local area leader for Stats NZ and we will pursue prosecution if you fail to comply," the note read.

"We are somewhat dismayed at you refusing to talk to [us]."

The threat was scrawled on a note bearing an official Statistics NZ letterhead, but Stats NZ said the threat should never have been made.

"A Stats NZ interviewer first went to the Hamilton household on Sunday, however the interviewer left after a short discussion at the home," the Government department told Newshub in a statement.

"There was a further letter sent the household on Monday about the survey seeking cooperation, but Stats NZ did not hear back.

"A Stats NZ team leader returned to the house again on Thursday to make personal contact and explain the survey. As nobody was home, the team leader left a calling card and added a hand-written note.

"This note incorrectly stated that Stats NZ would pursue prosecution if the householder failed to comply and fill in the survey."

Stats NZ says prosecution is "absolutely a last resort", and has amicably resolved the situation with the woman's family.

"We are glad they took the time to help complete the survey, which is vital to provide regional and national figures on jobs and unemployment," Stats NZ general manager of collections operations Ray Freeman said.

In 2008 a Wairarapa man was threatened with a $500 fine after he asked to be excused from taking part in Statistics NZ's Survey of Family, Income and Employment.

Under the Statistics Act 1975, Kiwis asked to take part in a survey by Statistics NZ have to do so, or could face prosecution. In 2013, 46 people were convicted for failing to take part in the census.

Statistics NZ says prosecutions are rare outside of the census, however.

"The usefulness of the information collected from these surveys relies on attaining consistently high response rates," its website reads.

Newshub.