A meshblock is the smallest geographic unit for which statisitcal data is collected by Statistics New Zealand. Meshblocks vary in size from part of a city block to large areas of rural land. Each meshblock abuts another to cover all of New Zealand, extending out to the 200-mile economic zone (approximately 320 kilometres). Meshblocks aggregate to build larger geographic areas, such as area units, territorial authorities, and regional councils.
The New Zealand wide system of standard meshblocks was established in 1976, although the term 'meshblock' was used in the 1916 Census of Population and Dwellings. A forerunner to the meshblock is described in the report of the 1891 Census.