Simon Mason: Govt statistician concedes they may have to resort to prosecuting those who don't return Census

A concession from Census officials: they will have to switch from the carrot to the stick.

Stats NZ is handing out food vouchers and free Warriors tickets to encourage those yet to complete their forms, to do so.

So far 4.4 million people have returned their papers.

Deputy Government Statistician Simon Mason told Kerre Woodham he's got no desire to prosecute people, but it may come to that.

He says they will probably end up prosecuting a small group of society who continually refuse to do the Census.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.