Poverty and living standards in Napier-Hastings, New Zealand: official figures
14,202 people in Napier-Hastings were receiving a main benefit in September 2026: 6,345 on Jobseeker Support, 3,174 on Sole Parent Support and 4,545 on the Supported Living Payment (Ministry of Social Development, numbers rounded to base 3). This is 92 for every 1,000 residents. That is 3rd highest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
How has the number of people on benefits in Napier-Hastings changed?
The number of people receiving a main benefit in Napier-Hastings was 14,202 in September 2026, compared with 12,984 in September 2021 (+9%), according to the Ministry of Social Development.
Source: Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand) · saved copyHow many people in Napier-Hastings are on Jobseeker Support?
41 in every 1,000 residents of Napier-Hastings were receiving Jobseeker Support in September 2026 (New Zealand: 41). That is 5th highest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand) · saved copyHow deprived is Napier-Hastings?
25.2% of people in Napier-Hastings 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 19.3% lived in the two least deprived tenths. That is 3rd highest deprivation of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much rent do people pay in Napier-Hastings?
At the 2023 Census, 1.6% of renting households in Napier-Hastings paid $800 or more a week in rent and 32.3% paid under $300.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people in Napier-Hastings have no internet at home?
10.3% of people in Napier-Hastings did not have access to the internet at home at the 2023 Census.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Napier-Hastings compares with other cities in New Zealand
People on a main benefit per 1,000 residents (September 2026)
Napier-Hastings ranks 3 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)
Napier-Hastings ranks 3 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | People living in the two most deprived deciles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamilton | 30.5% |
| 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% |
More on Napier-Hastings: 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: Napier City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 21e43bee60aa…)
- 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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