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Ethnicity Data Protocols for the Health and Disability Sector describes procedures for the standardised collection, recording and output of ethnicity data for the New Zealand health and disability sector. The protocols have been developed with input from a wide range of sector and government organisations.

It is intended that the promotion of the Ethnicity Data Protocols and their adoption by the health and disability sector will improve the accuracy and consistency of ethnicity data over time, and across the different collections of data and various uses of data analysis within the sector.

From this reference document, materials more suitable for front-line data collectors and/or data providers can be generated. Standardised training and educational materials have also been developed:

• Ethnicity Data Protocols Training Presentation (PowerPoint file, 396 kB)
• Trainers’ Notes — Ethnicity Data Protocols Training Package (PDF, 108 kB)
• Session Plan — Ethnicity Data Protocols Training Package (PDF, 88 kB)
• Scenarios — Ethnicity Data Protocols Training Package (PDF, 116 kB)
• Collecting Ethnicity Data — Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 332 kB)

This Ethnicity Data Protocols document is also available as a PDF file (1.3 MB).

Contents

• Acknowledgements
• Foreword
• Summary of protocol requirements
• Background
• What is ethnicity?
• Protocols for collecting ethnicity data
• Protocols for classifying, recording and storing ethnicity data
• Protocols for outputting ethnicity data
• Change control
• Appendix 1: Level 0 and level 1 codes
• Appendix 2: Level 2 codes
• Appendix 3: Level 3 codes
• Appendix 4: Level 4 codes
• Glossary of terms and abbreviations
• References

Acknowledgements

The Ethnicity Data Protocols for the Health and Disability Sector describes procedures for the standardised collection, recording and output of ethnicity data for the New Zealand health and disability sector. The protocols have been developed with input from a wide range of sector and government organisations.

The Ministry of Health acknowledges the substantial body of knowledge around ethnicity data collection developed and advanced by Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare. As well the protocols drew on sector research, training and educational initiatives aimed at improving the quality of ethnicity data. The contribution of all the organisations and Ministry of Health directorates who made submissions on the protocols is also acknowledged.

The Ministry of Health would like to thank the review panel for their valuable assistance in reviewing the protocols. Along with Ministry of Health officials the review panel included:

• Tania Waitokia, Waitemata DHB, representative of Tumu Whakarae (DHB Māori Managers)
• Helen Smith, Hutt Valley DHB, representative of DHB Quality Managers
• Tim Boyd-Wilson, Accident Compensation Corporation
• Deborah Potter, Statistics New Zealand
• Donna Cormack, Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare.

Foreword