Meshblock 2017 (generalised version)

This dataset is the definitive set of meshblock boundaries for 2017 as defined by Statistics New Zealand.
Statistics New Zealand maintains an annual meshblock pattern for collecting and producing statistical data. This allows data to be compared over time. A meshblock is the smallest geographic unit for which statistical data is collected and processed by Statistics New Zealand. A meshblock is defined by a geographic area, which can vary in size from part of a city block to a large area of rural land. Each meshblock borders on another to form a network covering all of New Zealand, including coasts and inlets and extending out to the 200-mile economic zone. Meshblocks are added together to build up larger geographic areas such as area units and urban areas. They are also used to define electoral districts, territorial authorities, and regional councils.
There are two ways of amending meshblock boundaries.
1. Splitting is subdividing a meshblock into two or more meshblocks.
2. Nudging is shifting a boundary to a more appropriate position.

Reasons for splits and nudges include:
- to accommodate changes to local government boundaries, which are required by the Local Government Act 2002 to follow meshblocks for electoral purposes
- to accommodate changes to parliamentary electoral boundaries, following each Electoral Representation Commission review after each five-yearly Census of Population and Dwellings
- to make changes to statistical boundaries such as area units and urban areas
- to enable changes to census collection districts
- to improve the size balance of meshblocks in areas where there has been population growth
- to separate land and water – e.g. mainland, islands, inlets, and oceanic are defined separately.
- to accommodate requests from other users of the meshblock pattern e.g. NZ Police for their station, area, and district boundaries.

The digital geographic boundaries are defined and maintained by Statistics New Zealand.
Meshblocks cover the land area of New Zealand, the water area to the 12-mile limit, the Chatham Islands, Kermadec Islands, sub-Antarctic islands, off-shore oil rigs, and Ross Dependency. The following 16 meshblocks are not held in digitised form.
Meshblock Location (area unit name)
0016901 Oceanic-Kermadec Islands
0016902 Kermadec Islands
1588000 Oil Rig-Taranaki
3166401 Oceanic-Campbell Island
3166402 Campbell Island
3166600 Oil Rig-Southland
3166710 Oceanic-Auckland Islands
3166711 Auckland Islands
3195000 Ross Dependency
3196001 200 Mile Economic Zone
3196002 Oceanic-Bounty Islands
3196003 Bounty Islands
3196004 Oceanic-Snares Islands
3196005 Snares Islands
3196006 Oceanic-Antipodes Islands
3196007 Antipodes Islands

Meshblock boundaries generally follow road centre-lines, cadastral property boundaries or topographical features (e.g. rivers). Expanses of water in the form of lakes and inlets are defined separately from land.
The annual pattern of digital boundaries is used for the full calendar year from 1 January.