Realisation of ‘administrative data first’ in quarterly business statistics

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Liken, Craig^* | Page, Mathew | Stewart, John

Affiliations: Stats NZ, Christchurch, New Zealand

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Craig Liken, Stats NZ, Private Bag 4741, Christchurch, New Zealand. Tel.: +64 3 964 8374; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: Stats NZ has moved to an ‘administrative data first’ approach for quarterly financial statistics. This paper gives an overview of the transformation process, describes some of the methods and techniques used, as well as outlines the benefits, such as increased flexibility, improved quality, and reduced respondent burden that we have realised in adopting this approach. Some of the challenges faced with this significant paradigm shift, particularly the changes in thinking needed are discussed, as well as the ongoing commitment required to maintain this ‘administrative data first’ approach.

Keywords: Administrative data, business statistics, transformation

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-180456

Journal: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 567-576, 2018