Construction of a Consistent Historic Time-Series Area-Level Deprivation Metric for Aotearoa New Zealand

Few metrics of area-level socioeconomic deprivation exist that are comparable over time and space. This study aimed to create a consistent historic time-series area-level deprivation metric for 1981, 1986 and 1991 in Aotearoa New Zealand (hereafter, New Zealand) using census data at census area unit (CAU) level. Consistent variables, geography and statistical methods were employed over time. The metric revealed a gradual worsening of area-level deprivation in NZ from 1981 to 1991. We provide a historical perspective on New Zealand’s socioeconomic conditions during the 1980s and early 1990s, which provides a platform for longitudinal studies in New Zealand to account for historical area-level deprivation.