district court logo

New Zealand Statistics v Dempsey [2019] NZDC 10635

Published 03 October 2019

Failure to complete census — neglecting or refusing to supply particulars — Statistics Act 1975, s 43(1). The defendant appeared for sentencing on two charges of neglecting or refusing to supply particulars. He had failed to complete the census form. The Court commented that there were no authorities on point and speculated that the reason for the prosecution was so New Zealand Statistics could build up a body of case law. The maximum fine for the offending was $500 per charge. The Court set a start point of $150 for each charge and after deductions for good character and guilty plea, the final sentence was a fine of $100 on each charge. Judgment Date: 29 May 2019.