Geographically, the census includes North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and Chatham Islands. It also includes several largely uninhabited islands, such as:
- Kermadec Islands
- Three Kings Islands
- Mayor Island
- Motiti Island
- White Island
- Moutohora Island
- Bounty Islands
- Snares Islands
- Antipodes Islands
- Auckland Islands
- Campbell Island
Records by geographic layer
Base geography for the product database are the Statistical Area Level 1 (or SA1) regions. Information relating the SA1 regions to higher geographies allows users to aggregate the SA1 values into the required coverage, is provided in the metadata file that accompanies this product.
The relationship between SA1 regions and the following higher geographies is provided in the metadata:
- Statistical Area 2
- Territorial Authority
- Local Board
- Ward
- District Health Board
- Regional Council