Prepared by Andrew HancockClassification and Standards

Classifications and Standards in

Statistics New Zealand

Statistical Classifications in New Zealand• Since 1993 there has been a centralised classifications unit

(C&S) based in Christchurch

• C&S is responsible for developing, maintaining and implementing standard classifications across the Official Statistical System (OSS)

• C&S provides classifications best practice advice to survey and administrative collections

• C&S assists integration across surveys so that each area within Statistics NZ uses the same standards and classifications that best fit their survey needs

Classification Types

• Classifications used by Statistics NZ are assigned a classification type based on ownership, the proposed use of the classification and the resulting stakeholder consultation.

• All classifications in use at Statistics NZ must be approved by the appropriate authority, currently the Standards Governance Board (SGB) and/or the Government Statistician (GS):

• International Classification• New Zealand Standard Classification• Standard Classification• Independent Classification

Classification Types (cont)

Statistical Classification

International Classification

Standard Classification

Independent Classification

New Zealand StandardClassification

Classification Types (cont)

• International classifications if adopted are usually modified to New Zealand conditions and made into New Zealand Standard Classifications.

• Harmonised classifications are ones developed with the Australian Bureau of Statistics

• Standard classifications are ones used across many surveys

• Independent classifications are survey specific classifications

• Airroutes• Areas• Currency• Ethnicity• Households and

Families• Iwi• Language• Qualifications• Religion

Major Classifications

• ANZSIC - Industry• ANZSCO - Occupation• ANZSRC - Research• NZBEC - Broad Economic

Categories• NZHSC - Trade• NZSCC - Country• NZSCNPO - Non-profit

• NZSTC - Level of Processing

Classification Review Process

Current Review Work

• ANZSCO update (released 31 March 2009)

• ANZSIC06 update just released

• Households and Families review in progress

• Standard Coding Tool Policy and Review

• Geospatial/Areas review (starting January 2009)

• Metadata Project

• Institutional Sector review (planned for 2009)

• Classifications Best Practice Documentation

Classifications Best Practice

• Defines a statistical and standard classification

• Defines guidelines on principles to consider when developing classifications

• Details essential components of classifications

• Has a checklist for developing a classification

• There is a basic version and a technical version

Industry Classification (ANZSIC06)

• Is an Australian and New Zealand developed classification• Aligns with ISIC Rev 4• Uses a supply-side basis concept• Is a four level hierarchical classification• Has a supporting Output classification• Has a strong implementation process supported by

• Dual Coding Process• Backcasting guidelines• Time-series concordances• Web enabled Classification Code Finder

Product Classifications

• Previously had ANZSPC – based on CPC V1.0

• ANZSPC decommissioned by ABS and Statistics NZ

• Users will concord to CPC V2.0

• ABS and Statistics NZ working closely together on linking to CPC V2.0

Classifications Management System

• CARS stands for Classifications and Related Standards System

• CARS is an on-line computer package used when storing and working with classifications

• CARS stores classification data such as:

• classification definitions

• classification versions

• concordances (translations between versions)

• synonyms used for coding survey responses

Objectives of the CARS system• To provide centralised classification storage, maintenance and

access facilities for all classification data used in the development and processing of surveys

• To facilitate the use of standard classifications in all statistical data

• To facilitate the comparison and analysis of data by storing concordances

• To provide common ways to update and access classifications data

CARS Environment

• CARS is a generalised classification system which was developed as part of the Statistics NZ upgrade from a mainframe to a client/server environment

• Uses 32 bit Centura SQL Windows as client software

• Uses Sybase (v12.5) as the data repository

• Uses Sybase views and stored procedures to access data

CARS Environment (cont)

BF TSM WEB

LANSybase

SNZ Website

http://www.stats.govt.nz/statistical-methods/classifications-standards/default.htm

Classifications and Standards

http://www.stats.govt.nz/statistical-methods/classification-code-finder/default.htm

Classification Code Finder

Prepared by Andrew HancockClassification and Standards

Classifications and Standards in

Statistics New Zealand