f:{"metadata":[["$","title","0",{"children":"LEN COOK Former Government Statistician"}],["$","meta","1",{"name":"description","content":"

Former Government Statistician Len Cook speaks with Paul Brennan about New Zealand’s shift to an “admin data first” census model, expressing serious concern over transparency, the withholding of key expert reviews, and the erosion of public trust. He calls for an independent Royal Society-led inquiry and new legislation to protect the integrity of population statistics. Cook argues that administrative data cannot replace the unique snapshot a full census provides, especially in tracking localised population shifts critical for planning infrastructure, housing, climate responses and health. Drawing on decades of statistical leadership, he warns that public sector priorities are overtaking broader societal needs, potentially undermining democratic safeguards.

For more from Len Cook, Author at Newsroom

"}],["$","meta","2",{"name":"application-name","content":"RCR"}],["$","link","3",{"rel":"manifest","href":"/manifest.json","crossOrigin":"$undefined"}],["$","meta","4",{"name":"format-detection","content":"telephone=no"}],["$","meta","5",{"name":"mobile-web-app-capable","content":"yes"}],["$","meta","6",{"name":"apple-mobile-web-app-title","content":"RCR"}],["$","meta","7",{"name":"apple-mobile-web-app-status-bar-style","content":"default"}],["$","meta","8",{"property":"og:title","content":"LEN COOK Former Government Statistician"}],["$","meta","9",{"property":"og:description","content":"

For more from Len Cook, Author at Newsroom

"}],["$","meta","10",{"property":"og:url","content":"https://rcr.media/episodes/len-cook-former-government-statistician-nz-census-changes-under-fire-transparency-and-trust-at-critical-crossroads/"}],["$","meta","11",{"property":"og:image","content":"https://media.realitycheck.radio/2025/06/2025_06_27_PB_GUESTLEN_COOK_V1.jpg"}],["$","meta","12",{"property":"og:image:width","content":"1200"}],["$","meta","13",{"property":"og:image:height","content":"630"}],["$","meta","14",{"property":"og:image:alt","content":"LEN COOK Former Government Statistician"}],["$","meta","15",{"property":"og:type","content":"article"}],["$","meta","16",{"name":"twitter:card","content":"summary_large_image"}],["$","meta","17",{"name":"twitter:title","content":"LEN COOK Former Government Statistician"}],["$","meta","18",{"name":"twitter:description","content":"

For more from Len Cook, Author at Newsroom

"}],"$L19","$L1a","$L1b","$L1c","$L1d","$L1e","$L1f","$L20","$L21","$L22","$L23","$L24","$L25","$L26","$L27","$L28","$L29","$L2a","$L2b","$L2c","$L2d","$L2e","$L2f","$L30","$L31","$L32","$L33","$L34","$L35","$L36","$L37","$L38","$L39","$L3a","$L3b","$L3c","$L3d","$L3e","$L3f","$L40","$L41","$L42","$L43","$L44","$L45","$L46","$L47","$L48","$L49","$L4a","$L4b","$L4c","$L4d","$L4e","$L4f","$L50","$L51","$L52","$L53","$L54","$L55","$L56","$L57","$L58","$L59","$L5a","$L5b"],"error":null,"digest":"$undefined"}