Whanganui's Mayor wants people taking part in a trial census to do it online if they can.
Statistics NZ has chosen 19,000 Whanganui households to take part in the test, to help prepare for the next official census in March next year.
Letters with information about how to participate in the test have started arriving at selected households. The census test day is Tuesday, April 4.
"Getting our community on board to complete the census test is another way we can show the rest of New Zealand how comfortable we are with technology and how we are leading the way," Hamish McDouall said.
Statistics New Zealand's Denise McGregor said the test was being held, in part, to get an indication of how many people would be likely to fill in their census information online, and how they respond to the online forms.
"We are hoping that, when we undertake the census in 2018, seventy per cent of people will take part online," Ms McGregor said.
"We'll also be testing how we contact people who live in apartment blocks and public buildings, like hotels and motels."
The city was chosen because it was big enough to be representative of New Zealand and had a mix of people and dwellings that will help Statistics NZ test its systems and processes for the next census in March.
Mr McDouall said he was delighted Whanganui was selected.
"If seventy per cent of us can fill in the census online for the test, we've got a great chance of doing it again when the 2018 census comes around. We might just beat the national average."
Mr McDouall said those without internet access at home could look to family members for help.
"You might not have the internet at home, but I am sure there will be keen whanau members, friends and organisations out there with access to the internet who would be happy to help."
The Whanganui Library also provided internet access and there is free wireless internet access near the iSite on Taupo Quay for those with their own devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets.
"I really encourage people to complete the census test, as the more people who participate, the better Stats NZ can make the experience next year, when they run the 2018 census."
Census tests can also be done on paper and posted back.