Data Collection Specialist Regional | Matanga Kohi Raraunga - (Ashburton) Fixed in Canterbury

About this role

Ashburton

Fixed Term, Part-Time (Guaranteed Minimum Hours per fortnight)

23 March 2026 – June 30th 2027

Collaborate with us in improving life in Aotearoa. Play a part in creating a better future for New Zealanders.

Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa is a Central Government employer of 1200+ people across Aotearoa. We provide data and statistics to support the decisions of Government, Māori and Iwi organisations, businesses, NGOs, and New Zealanders. Our work is About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa – data that improves lives today and for generations to come. We welcome every gender, ethnicity, ability, religion, age, and background and encourage all our people to be their authentic selves.

Starting salary: $58,708 + superannuation

Other benefits of joining Stats NZ include:

• Develop and grow your career (coaching, training, study support, secondments)
• Contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference to all people in Aotearoa
• 3 additional annual leave days (taken during Christmas office closure)

The role

As a Regional Data Collection Specialist, you are the face of Stats NZ. You will build relationships across the diverse business and social communities of Aotearoa, helping people share their data through the channel that suits them best. Your focus is on providing a seamless, safe, and professional experience that recognizes every respondent's contribution to New Zealand’s future.

This is a multi-modal role with a mix of variety and autonomy:

• In the Community: Most of your time is spent conducting face-to-face interviews. You’ll be active—driving and walking to visit various households.
• From Home: You will also manage data collection via phone and email from your home office.
• The Schedule: To meet respondents when they are available, you will work a mix of fixed shifts and a flexible roster including some mornings, evenings, and weekends (Monday–Sunday).

Work Schedule and Priorities Specific to This Fixed Term Role

This fixed-term position is divided into two distinct stages:

• Stage 1: Phone-Based Collection (March – June 2026)
  • Focus: Conducting phone interviews and data collection from your home office.
  • Schedule: Primarily fixed rostered shifts.
  • Development: You will participate in field-work training and shadow experienced team members (scheduled outside of your phone shifts).
• Stage 2: Field-Based Collection (July 2026 – June 2027)
  • Focus: Traveling to respondents' homes for in-person data collection.
  • Schedule: Flexible hours based on respondent availability.
  • Additional Opportunities: Phone-based shifts will remain available to supplement field work.

What you bring

We value the skills you’ve gained through your life experiences, not just your CV. We are looking for:

• Experience: 2+ years in customer service or a similar people-facing role.
• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust quickly.
• Technical Savvy: Comfort using Microsoft 365, tablets, and remote meeting tools. You should be able to manage files, perform basic Excel checks, and troubleshoot common software issues.
• Self-Management: The ability to work independently, manage your own time, and stay organized while working remotely.
• Cultural Openness: We are committed to diversity, equity, and lifting our cultural capability. You don’t need to be an expert yet, but you must be willing to learn and grow on this journey with us.

Requirements

To be successful in this remote-based role, you must have:

• A quiet, private home office with fast, reliable internet.
• A current, full New Zealand driver’s license and a legally roadworthy, insured vehicle.
• A reasonable level of fitness for frequent walking and household visits.
• Bonus: Local area knowledge and connections to social, cultural, or business groups.

If your application is successful, you will be required to attend a mandatory induction training in person. This training will take place over one week, from 23 - 27 March 2026, in Christchurch. Please note that your application will not progress if you are unable to commit to these dates.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, click on the Apply now button to be redirected to the application page on our careers site. The position description is located on the right-hand side of the page. We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interview. You may be asked to complete a pre-interview screen via phone or video. Please let us know in your application if we need to make any specific accommodations during our process. Please reach out to recruitment@stats.govt.nz if you have any questions.

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Background and various pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.