The 'As It Was' hitmaker is required to answers questions about his personal life for the 2023 New Zealand census because he has a concert in Auckland the same night.
- Feb 25, 2023
AceShowbiz - Harry Styles may be a well-known British native, but he'll be participating in the New Zealand census. The "As It Was" hitmaker will be required to participate in the 2023 New Zealand census because he has a concert in Auckland the same night.
The census is conducted every five years and requires everyone in the country, including overseas visitors, to take part. This year it happens to be held on the night of the British pop star's Auckland show on 7 March.
A spokesperson for the New Zealand government's census team confirmed to the Guardian on Friday, February 24 that Harry would have to take part. Any individual who does not participate or provides false or incomplete information can be fined up to NZ$2,000 (around $1,830).
On Twitter, the 2023 census account also confirmed to an inquiring user that it requires everyone in the country to provide their details, including "tourists, visitors and former members of One Direction." The account then shared an "artist's impression" of Harry filling out his census form "lovingly rendered in fuchsia in Microsoft Paint."
Harry will be asked to answer questions ranging from his household members to his smoking habits and his income. The 2023 census will also collect information on gender and sexual identity for the first time. All answers given are confidential.
Completing the New Zealand census is a nicer task for the 29-year-old singer, who was pressured to perform a "shoey," taking off his shoe and drinking from it, while on his sold-out tour of Australia.
On February 20, the "Watermelon Sugar" member kicked off the Australian leg of his "Love on Tour" in the country's Western capital. In between songs, he brought a crowd member on stage. Asking the man if he'd ever done a "shoey," he urged the fan to perform the act live on stage, promising that he would do it too.
Once the man agreed, drinking water from his shoe, Harry made good on his word. Taking off his own shoe and pouring water from a bottle, the Grammy-winning crooner then told the crowd, "This is one of the most disgusting traditions I've ever heard of."
Harry then raised his shoe to his lips and proceeded to drink the water, before dumping the rest on his face. He then looked queasy, joking to the crowd, "I feel like a different person, I feel ashamed of myself." He added, "It feels so personal, such an intimate moment to be shared with so many people. I'll be discussing this with my therapist at length."
