Stats NZ - What Are your Rights?

Forums › Off topic › Stats NZ - What Are your Rights?

outdoorsnz

674 posts

Ultimate Geek

#288658 15-Jul-2021 13:55

I understand if Stats NZ pick your property to do random stats, then you are compelled to answer all questions by NZ law or you could get prosecuted.

But what would my rights be in this situation:

Happened to call into an address A of someone I know well, to get a key for the next door property / neighbor (address B). That neighbor had asked me to remove rubbish they forgot to take away...

Address A AND B are all away.

Stats NZ persons knocks on door of Address A, asking if I know owners of Address B, and if so, could they have my name and phone number, so that they can ring ahead to check if they are home, next time they visit.

I wasn't that keen to give my details as really nothing to do with me, but the stats person kept pushing their big plastic ID card in my face. I live in the same area.

What are my rights in this situation? Can I just refuse to help without the risk of legal action?

floydbloke

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#2744595 15-Jul-2021 14:07

IANAL, but I would have told him/her to sod off (politely of course, not using those exact words).

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outdoorsnz

674 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2744598 15-Jul-2021 14:11

floydbloke:

IANAL, but I would have told him/her to sod off (politely of course, not using those exact words).

Yes I should have politely said that in hindsight!

hsvhel

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#2744600 15-Jul-2021 14:16

I would say no thanks and close the door.

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mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
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#2744603 15-Jul-2021 14:21

If they don't know your name they can't find you if you are lucky... exactly what you want... I know one person who was chosen for one of those invasive surveys, took 6 months if i remember rightly and there is no way out

Matthew

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#2744614 15-Jul-2021 14:50

Umm no, I'd be telling them to go away.

Why would they need to ring YOU to see if those people are home - you're not their keeper. You have no legal association with the property.

"Sorry, I'm just here to take out the trash, goodbye".

Or else they'd be going to ever house asking for people numbers to check when neighbors etc are home. Almost sounds like they are casing the area for burglary rather than legit Stats.

I'd actually calls Stats NZ and follow it up with them......

From the stats site:

Why you were selected

You and your household have been selected.....

You are not part of the household so you don't have to give them anything.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Journeyman

1186 posts

Uber Geek

#2744742 15-Jul-2021 20:56

You told them the occupants are all away right?

outdoorsnz

674 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2745071 16-Jul-2021 09:50

Journeyman:

You told them the occupants are all away right?

As mentioned in my post, Property A & B are all away. The person said they were knocking on the neighbors doors to get their details so they can ring ahead to save the Govt money, and avoid wasted journeys.

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outdoorsnz

674 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2745073 16-Jul-2021 09:58

xpd:

Umm no, I'd be telling them to go away.

Why would they need to ring YOU to see if those people are home - you're not their keeper. You have no legal association with the property.

"Sorry, I'm just here to take out the trash, goodbye".

Or else they'd be going to ever house asking for people numbers to check when neighbors etc are home. Almost sounds like they are casing the area for burglary rather than legit Stats.

I'd actually calls Stats NZ and follow it up with them......

From the stats site:

Why you were selected

You and your household have been selected.....

You are not part of the household so you don't have to give them anything.

@XPD. I certainly will be giving that message if they ring me up! The person was using their card to force information. Pretty sure they were a stats NZ person. Might give them a call. Cheers

outdoorsnz

674 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2745079 16-Jul-2021 10:13

Called Stats NZ... The answer is you don't have to give your details if you are not directly involved with the survey. As you would expect. I did not want to give details of the address etc as I just might be next on the survey list!