We are increasingly becoming a data-driven society with advances in technology and the accumulation of massive data in many fields. Statistics is the profession associated with making meaningful sense of data. Statistics is a rapidly advancing science with many avenues open for study and work. These range from statistical theory to its application in biology, medicine, the social sciences, engineering, physics and economics. In fact, there are few disciplines that do not use statistics in some form. Modern mathematicians and statisticians are being asked to develop new tools and techniques to deal with problems in areas from business management to biology. New insights are also being developed in the more traditional areas of physical science and engineering. All this activity leads to new applications of mathematics and statistics, as well as new theoretical work on the structure of the mathematics and statistics involved. Statistics can be used to answer some very important scientific, social and commercial questions. The challenge in statistics is to use appropriate logic, apply the correct methodology and interpret the results accurately. Some projects involving statisticians include: measuring the rate that cystic fibrosis develops in lung tissue describing the spatial distribution of wood fibre lengths in trees monitoring endangered animals to detect critical rates of decline measuring the impact of government policy on education estimating the working life of mechanical equipment before it requires repair measuring the extent to which participation in group-therapy anger-management sessions reduces the chance of re-offending.

Statistics is an integral part of many industries, management and scientific research programmes. Statistics demands the ability to use analytical techniques, statistical methods and information technology for the manipulation and interpretation of information. There is a growing demand for statisticians and biometricians (people who conduct research and advise on experimental design, data collection and data analysis in biology). Many of our graduates are employed by Statistics New Zealand as statisticians and in other organisations as research officers, analysts and statistical programmers. The Crown Research Institutes also employ a large number of statisticians, particularly biometricians. Other graduates are employed in the financial sector and by insurance companies, and industrial and commercial companies. Many large companies employ statisticians to deal with the increasing demand for the collection and interpretation of data. Many other jobs, while not requiring people with a degree in Statistics, need employees with a working knowledge of statistics, in particular competence in using statistical software packages.