The New Zealand Health Survey is an important national survey that collects information about the health of New Zealanders and the health services they use. The survey has been running for around 15 years and is always evolving. This year, a small number of households will be invited to take part to test an online version of the survey.
This online version of the survey is being delivered separately from the in-person survey, with a focus on how respondents interact with the online questions, rather than what the responses are.
Taking part in this study will help ensure the New Zealand Health Survey continues to be a high-quality survey and remains a good experience with respondents.
Understanding our survey approach
About 300 households will be invited to take part in the online test version of the survey. These households have been selected at random from addresses across New Zealand. From each selected household, up to two adults aged 16 or older are invited to take part in the survey.
If you have been invited to join the online survey, you should have received an invitation letter with an information sheet that describes what you will be asked to do.
The online, shortened version of the survey can be completed on any device and takes no longer than 30 minutes.
How will the information be used?
The online test version of the New Zealand Health Survey asks the same kind of questions as the in-person survey, but shorter.
The information collected from the online test version of the New Zealand Health Survey will be used to help explore whether an online option is a useful alternative method to complete the survey in the future. The Ministry of Health is keen to understand why selected participants may or may not want to participate.
As part of the process, Ipsos will follow-up in person if they don’t get a survey response. This is to have a brief chat to help us understand the reasons for not completing the survey online and to answer any queries.
The information you provide is confidential and is protected by the Privacy Act 2020.
Who is carrying out the survey?
The Ministry of Health contracts Ipsos NZ Ltd to carry out the New Zealand Health Survey and test the online version of the survey. Ipsos is an independent New Zealand research company experienced in carrying out surveys.
The project has been approved by the Health and Disability Ethics Committee (Ref #: 2026 AM 1493).
Further information is available on the Ipsos Surveys website.
