More than 300,000 individual and dwelling forms have been submitted online ahead of Census Day next Tuesday.

While census is a snapshot of the country on March 5, people can complete forms online ahead of time particularly if they know what they are going to be doing on the day.

People are being encouraged to fill their census forms online.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says the response has been great thus far and will soon surpass the 2006 overall total of 391,000 forms completed online.

'While Statistics New Zealand has a goal of 35 per cent (about two million forms) being completed via the internet this census, I'm hopeful it will be closer to 50 per cent.

'I encourage everyone to use this option, as it's secure, quick and easy.”

If households complete census forms online, then a census collector will not need to return to collect the forms.

'Getting everybody in New Zealand to fill in their census forms is absolutely critical in making sure community groups, iwi, councils and businesses have access to the best possible information about the country.”

It also directly influences funding for areas such as health and transport.

Either online or on paper, all census information is kept confidential by Statistics NZ and can only be used for statistical purposes.