Poverty and living standards in Lower Hutt, New Zealand: official figures
9,996 people in Lower Hutt were receiving a main benefit in September 2026: 5,400 on Jobseeker Support, 1,824 on Sole Parent Support and 2,667 on the Supported Living Payment (Ministry of Social Development, numbers rounded to base 3). This is 88 for every 1,000 residents. That is 4th highest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
How has the number of people on benefits in Lower Hutt changed?
The number of people receiving a main benefit in Lower Hutt was 9,996 in September 2026, compared with 8,379 in September 2021 (+19%), according to the Ministry of Social Development.
Source: Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand) · saved copyHow many people in Lower Hutt are on Jobseeker Support?
47 in every 1,000 residents of Lower Hutt were receiving Jobseeker Support in September 2026 (New Zealand: 41). That is 3rd highest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand) · saved copyHow deprived is Lower Hutt?
21.3% of people in Lower Hutt lived in the two most deprived tenths of areas (deciles 9 and 10) of the New Zealand Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation at the 2023 Census, while 23.0% lived in the two least deprived tenths. That is 5th highest deprivation of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much rent do people pay in Lower Hutt?
At the 2023 Census, 3.7% of renting households in Lower Hutt paid $800 or more a week in rent and 31.6% paid under $300.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people in Lower Hutt have no internet at home?
8.5% of people in Lower Hutt did not have access to the internet at home at the 2023 Census.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Lower Hutt compares with other cities in New Zealand
People on a main benefit per 1,000 residents (September 2026)
Lower Hutt ranks 4 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | People on a main benefit per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamilton | 102 |
| 2 | Whangarei District | 100 |
| 3 | Napier-Hastings | 92 |
| 4 | Lower Hutt | 88 |
| 5 | Christchurch | 77 |
| 6 | Auckland | 75 |
| 7 | Tauranga | 69 |
People living in the two most deprived deciles (2023 Census)
Lower Hutt ranks 5 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | People living in the two most deprived deciles |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Whangarei District | 30.4% |
| 3 | Napier-Hastings | 25.2% |
| 4 | Auckland | 22.8% |
| 5 | Lower Hutt | 21.3% |
| 6 | Dunedin | 19.7% |
| 7 | Christchurch | 15.6% |
| 8 | Tauranga | 9.9% |
More on Lower Hutt: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in New Zealand
Sources
- Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand): Benefit Fact Sheets: Territorial Authorities (TA) data tables, September 2026, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9e82549b2b86…)
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Lower Hutt City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 612b4ecf5365…)
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Wellington City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c078d1c26a…)
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