Statistical Area 1 2021 (generalised)

This dataset is the definitive set of annually released statistical area 1 (SA1) boundaries for 2021 as defined by Stats NZ. This version contains 29,910 SA1 categories.

SA1s were introduced as part of the Statistical Standard for Geographic Areas 2018 (SSGA18) which replaced the New Zealand Standard Areas Classification (NZSAC92). SA1 is a new output geography that allows the release of more detailed information about population characteristics than is available at the meshblock level.

Built by joining meshblocks, SA1s have an ideal size range of 100–200 residents, and a maximum population of about 500. This is to minimise suppression of population data in multivariate statistics tables. SA1s either define or aggregate to define SA2s, urban rural areas, territorial authorities, and regional councils. Some SA1s that contain apartment blocks, retirement villages, and large non-residential facilities have more than 500 residents.

This generalised version has been simplified for rapid drawing and is designed for thematic or web mapping purposes.

Digital boundary data became freely available on 1 July 2007.

The SA1 classification can also be downloaded from the Stats NZ classification and concordance tool Ariā.