Term	Meshblock
Synonym
Related Term
Source of Definition
Short Definition
Statistical Activity	Geographic

Definition
The meshblock is the smallest geographic unit for which statistical data is collected and processed by Statistics New Zealand. A meshblock is a defined geographic area, varying in size from part of a city block to large areas of rural land. Each meshblock abuts against another to form a network covering all of New Zealand including coasts and inlets, and extending out to the two hundred mile economic zone. Meshblocks are added together to ‘build up’ larger geographic areas such as area units and urban areas. They are also the principal unit used to draw-up and define electoral district and local authority boundaries.

Example
Land Meshblocks

• Island Meshblocks
• Mainland Meshblocks

• Inland Water Meshblocks
• Inlet Meshblocks
• Oceanic Meshblocks