Usual residence n years ago is a key variable for determining the geographic characteristics of the population. Usual residence n years ago, in conjunction with usual residence, provides information on the migration of persons within New Zealand and from overseas to New Zealand. Statistics on internal migration assist the formulation of migration assumptions for the population, labour force, and household projection series produced by Statistics New Zealand. Internal migration data is also used in policy formulation, planning, monitoring and research activities.
Usual residence n years ago is a flat classification with 2,295 categories. The classification consists of a combination of classifications that are ordinarily stored independently of each other. For more details of how the classification is derived see Classification and coding process.
Usual residence n years ago indicator is a flat classification with five categories.