Nuku’alofa, Tonga – This week, the Tonga Statistics Department was pleased to host Mr. Peter Ellis, Director of the Statistics for Development Division at the Pacific Community (SPC). He talked about “Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone,” providing a compelling overview of the current state and exciting future of statistics in Tonga and the wider Pacific region.
Mr. Ellis highlighted that while Pacific statistics are better than ever and showing material improvement, there is still a collective journey ahead to meet global standards. Mr. Ellis discussed how “everyone” in the data ecosystem is crucial—from government ministers and businesses to parents and voters—all of whom rely on quality data to make informed decisions.
He outlined nine dimensions of data quality that are essential for reliable statistics:
- Accuracy, Comparability, Reliability, Clarity, Coherence, Relevance, Accessibility, Timeliness, and Punctuality.
Mr. Ellis also shared SPC’s vision for the future, which is one of collaboration and modernisation.
The Tonga Statistics Department is proud to be a key partner in this regional effort. By working together with SPC and leveraging our shared resources, we are building a stronger statistical system for Tonga—one that provides quality data for everyone, empowering better decisions for a sustainable future.