The Cook Islands Statistics Office set out on a mission in the Pa Enua to update the survey maps. As mapping for the Cook Islands from the National Statistics Office is currently outdated. With the latest maps dating back to 2016 enumerators have run into issues and delays while out on the field. A statistics officer reports ” With a major survey project coming up next year we will need an updated map to make it easier for Enumerators to locate the houses. The mapping will also make things easier for future surveys.”
“We have run into issues before because of these outdated maps during the 2021 Census. The maps would show a dwelling but when investigated nothing was there, or we’d be surprised to find a house in an area because there was nothing on the map.”
Utilizing GIS (Geographic Information Systems) the Cook Islands Statistics Office prepares their officers to head into the field to begin updating their maps. GIS is a mapping tool that can assist your need to know about an area and the contents in that area.
“GIS can hold very small details about a structure. You could have info like the owner of the house, the head count and etc. Depending on what the surveyor wants or what info the respondent or owner of structure is willing to share.”
With a pilot test of the program completed in Rarotonga, Cook Islands Stats are prepared to send field officers to the outer islands for a short period of time. There they will visit every household and interview the Head of the House, by tablet. “Atiu is the first outer island that we will visit to conduct the mapping survey which will be on the 17th of April” says a statistics officer.
“The teams are hoping to work together with the residents to get the best information possible.”
“We are hoping everything runs smoothly so we can complete the whole island within the short time we have there. We are not wanting to waste any time”
For the Cook Islands Statistics Office the mapping is a useful exercise that will be used for future efficiency and updating information as buildings change overtime.
Media enquiries
Please contact the Statistics Office at [email protected] or call 29511.