This dataset is the definitive set of annually released territorial authority boundaries at 1 January 2018 as defined by the territorial authorities and/or Local Government Commission, and maintained by Stats NZ. A territorial authority is defined under the Local Government Act 2002 as a city or a district council. Territorial authorities are the second tier of local government in New Zealand, below regional councils.
Digital boundary data became freely available on 1 July 2007. This generalised version has been simplified for rapid drawing and is designed for thematic or web mapping purposes.
For further information see ANZLIC Metadata 2018 Territorial Authority attachment below.