Statistical Area 2 (SA2)

The main purpose of the SA2 geography is to provide an output geography for higher aggregations of population data than can be provided at the SA1 level. The SA2 geography aims to reflect communities that interact together socially and economically. In populated areas, SA2s generally contain similar-sized populations.

SA2s in city council areas generally have a population of 2,000–4,000 residents while SA2s in district council areas generally have a population of 1,000–3,000 residents.

In rural areas, many SA2s have fewer than 1,000 residents because they are in conservation areas or cover large areas that have sparse populations, for example, Fiordland.

SA2s have been created in urban areas where there is significant business and industrial activity, for example ports, airports, industrial, commercial, and retail areas. These areas have fewer than 1,000 residents and are useful for analysing business demographics, labour markets, and travel-to-work patterns.

Some SA2s with nil or nominal populations have been created to ensure that the SA2 geography covers all of New Zealand and aligns with New Zealand’s topography and local government boundaries.

See here for more information about statistical geography.