After the first statement of interest, Statistics New Zealand will develop a full survey proposal and feasibility assessment for the sponsoring government department. Project proposals or feasibility assessments will be charged for unless otherwise agreed by the Government Statistician. This charge will not be payable if the sponsoring government department takes up the proposal. The minimum charge will be $1,000 (including GST), covering 10 working days on a survey that Statistics New Zealand believes has sufficient strategic importance to subsidise.
The detail in the feasibility assessment will depend on the timeframe and price, to be agreed with the sponsoring government department at the outset. The assessment will take into account:
- respondent load
- compliance costs to respondents
- any likely impact on Statistics New Zealand’s data collections
- timeframe of the proposed survey
- compatibility with other Statistics New Zealand or other Tier 1 surveys
- demand on Statistics New Zealand’s resources and capability
- whether the survey meets all of the criteria outlined in the terms and conditions document for sponsored surveys
- whether the survey meets all the requirements under the Statistics Act 1975
- the available resources of the sponsoring government department including the people and funds available
- the resources available to Statistics New Zealand to undertake the survey, including organisational capability
- compliance with New Zealand’s Official Statistics System principles and protocols.
Feasibility assessments may include pre-testing of questionnaires and methodology. After the study, Statistics New Zealand will notify in writing whether or not it will undertake the survey. If Statistics New Zealand assesses that the survey proposal is not feasible, Statistics New Zealand will:
- document the reasons why the proposal is not feasible
- make sure it has considered all possible alternatives
- advise the intending sponsoring agency why the proposal is not feasible.
If Statistics New Zealand is in a position to undertake the survey, the organisation will draw up a project proposal in conjunction with the sponsoring government department stating:
- the agreed broad objectives of the proposed survey
- when Statistics New Zealand could undertake the survey
- details of options considered, indication of likely quality, timeframes, sample sizes, and results of any pre-testing
- the advantages and disadvantages of each option
- the recommended option
- estimated costs of the recommended option and, usually, one alternative
- whether Statistics New Zealand would contribute funds to the survey in any way.
Details of the methodology in a project proposal remain the intellectual property of Statistics New Zealand. If a survey provider other than Statistics New Zealand is to be contracted, Statistics New Zealand may agree to help prepare a tender document for the sponsoring government department.
Back to contents page