Statistics New Zealand, Tatauranga Aotearoa

Frequently asked questions

General questions

What is this survey?

In September 2015, we introduced the Sub-Annual Financial Collection (SAFC), which synchronised collection activities for the following surveys into one collection:

• The Quarterly Business Survey
• The Quarterly Survey of Wholesale Trade
• The Quarterly Survey of Wholesale Trade Stocks
• The Quarterly Economic Survey of Manufacturing
• The Quarterly Economic Survey of Manufacturing Stocks

You are completing one of the above surveys. They provide quarterly data for measuring the performance of New Zealand’s services, wholesale and manufacturing sectors.

Why have I been selected?

We selected your business as it is a key contributor to the business sector.

Do I have to take part in the survey?

Yes – the law requires you to take part in our surveys.
Under the Data and Statistics Act 2022 anyone or any business selected must complete the survey.

Is my information confidential?

Yes – the law protects the information you provide. It is used for statistical purposes. We do not release information that can identify your individual responses.

No other organisation – including Inland Revenue or the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment – can get information from us that identifies you.

How long will the survey take to complete?

The time taken will vary between surveys. If you have all your information, we expect the survey will take you approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete.

What if I don’t have all my information?

To complete the survey online, you do need to have all your information available so that you can finish the survey in one session.

If you don’t have all your information, check with someone who might be able to provide you with the missing information eg your accountant. Use the ‘Before you begin checklist’ in your Information Pack to get your information ready.

Can I access Help information from the online survey?

You can access Help information from the Help link on the survey home page. When you click the link, the Help page lists the different kinds of help available online.  These are:

1. FAQs - Frequently asked questions
2. System requirements - Minimum requirements to complete the survey online.

If you need further help, please call 0800 809 464 or email sfc@stats.govt.nz

Can I request a paper form to complete the survey?

Yes – you can request a paper form if you cannot complete the survey online. You can contact us by calling 0800 809 464, or by emailing the relevant email address (above). Please have your name, company name, reference number, contact number, and postal address ready.

What if I am not the correct person to receive this survey?

If you are not the correct person to receive this survey, please call 0800 809 464 or email the relevant email address (above), and tell us who the correct person is.

Please also tell us the reference number [GE12345678] on the Information Pack when you contact us.

How do I send documents to Stats NZ?

If you have additional documents you wish to send us, eg your accounts for the quarter, then you can send them to us by post, or by email:

By post:

1. Write your GE number onto the document. Note that your GE number is printed on page 1 of your Information Pack.
2. Address an envelope to: Stats NZ Freepost 10007 Private Bag 92003 Victoria Street West Auckland 1142
3. Send the document, in the envelope, to Stats NZ free of charge.

By email:

1. Select the email address that is relevant to the survey you are completing (see above).
2. Write an email that includes your GE number, attaches the completed survey, and explains what you are sending.
3. Send the email and the attached document to the relevant Stats NZ email address that you have selected.

Technical questions

What do I need to complete the survey online?

You can complete the survey online if you have one of the following browsers:

• Internet Explorer 10 and 11
• Firefox 47.0 and above
• Google Chrome v51.0.27 and above
• Safari (web, iPad and iPhone 6) 5.1.7 and above

The minimum security requirement is using an SSL enabled browser capable of 128 bit encryption. For further details please see the system requirements section.

Can I use the browser navigation keys (like the back button)?

No – if you use the back button the system will try to reload the survey and you will lose all your answers. An error message will display warning you of this.

Can I save my answers?

No – there is no save function for this online survey, so you need to complete your answers all at once and submit the completed survey to Stats NZ.

If you turn off your computer, or close the browser session before submitting the survey, you will lose all your answers. We encourage you to read the ‘Before you begin checklist’ in your information pack and get all information ready before you start the survey so you can complete the survey in one session.

I am in the middle of my survey and am unable to finish it. Can I resume it later?

No – unfortunately, the survey does not allow you to save a partially completed survey and resume it at a later date.

If you cannot complete the online survey all at once, but want to keep a copy of what you have entered so far, press the Print button on your internet browser. You can then shut down your computer which will remove your answers. When you restart the survey, you can re-enter the answers from your printed pages.

Am I able to edit/change my answers in the online survey?

No – if you have already submitted your completed survey, you will not be able to go back to view the details or to change anything in your survey.

Why is nothing happening when I press the Submit button?

The Submit button is active when the survey is complete, and you have clicked the Declaration box at the end of the survey.

Check that the Declaration box is checked. The Submit button goes from a light green to a darker green when it is active.

Can I do my survey on a mobile device, tablet or smartphone?

Your online survey can be completed on mobile devices but is not optimised for this. People trying to complete the survey using smartphones will have some usability issues, but those using a tablet will have a better experience in the portrait orientation.

If you are having difficulty you should use a laptop or full-size computer with a browser/operating system optimised for the 2016 online surveys. 

What should I do if I get an error message saying the website has technical problems, or a 'site busy/overload' message?

We are possibly experiencing technical problems if you receive that message. If you are able to wait for half an hour, then you can try logging on again.

If you are still experiencing technical issues, or cannot wait, please call us on 0800 809 464 for assistance.

Will my data be secure and kept private? What security provisions does Stats NZ have in place to protect the information provided online?

Stats NZ is committed to providing a secure environment for respondents of online surveys.

All completed online surveys are transmitted to Stats NZ using encryption to prevent unauthorised access (128 bit SSL – Secure Socket Layer). Only Stats NZ can decrypt it. This means that the information you submit from the online survey is not able to be read by anyone other than Stats NZ.

Stats NZ strongly recommends that online surveys be completed on a computer that has up-to-date protection software. This will help ensure your privacy and maintain the confidentiality of your information.

To access an online survey you will need to have a browser that supports 128 bit SSL encryption, and have it enabled. For further details please see the system requirements section.

Can I print out my survey?

Yes – at any stage when you are completing the questionnaire, you can do this using your internet browser’s print function. 

You can also print out your questionnaire with the information you have entered immediately after you submit it – just print the page thanking you for the submission and it will include the questionnaire. 

Due to browser limitations and differences, you might not be able to print all of the questionnaire and your answers.

Once you have completed the survey and leave the survey website you will not be able to access the information you have submitted to Stats NZ.