What share of people are on a benefit in Auckland?

There are about 10.9 main-benefit recipients for every 100 residents aged 15 to 64 in Auckland (Stats NZ's June 2025 provisional estimate of 1,232,700 people), compared with 12.0 across the 16 regions combined. The rate is 7th lowest of 16 regions. This ratio is calculated from the two published counts; the age bands are not identical.

Poverty and living standards in Auckland, New Zealand: official figures

134,913 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Auckland were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, up 3.4% from 130,464 a year earlier. The Ministry of Social Development counts Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment and other main benefits.

People on a main benefit (Sep 2026)

134,913

2026 Q3

How many people receive Jobseeker Support in Auckland?

In September 2026, Auckland had 82,311 people on Jobseeker Support (6.7 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, 8th highest of 16 regions), 27,129 on Sole Parent Support and 23,211 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 79,206, 26,469 and 22,713.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Who receives benefits in Auckland?

Māori made up 31.8% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Auckland in September 2026 (39,270 of 123,591 people); Pacific Peoples made up 29.8%. Ministry of Social Development tables count people by their recorded ethnic groups, and people can be counted in more than one.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

How long do people stay on a benefit in Auckland?

73% of main-benefit recipients in Auckland had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (98,829 people), and 17% were aged 18 to 24 (23,118). Women were 54% of recipients.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

How Auckland compares with other regions

Main-benefit recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)

Auckland ranks 10 of 16, highest first. Recipients are aged 18-64 (MSD, September 2026); residents aged 15-64 are from Stats NZ June 2025 provisional estimates.

Rank	Region	Main-benefit recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026
7	Taranaki	14.1
8	Waikato	13.9
9	Nelson	11.5
10	Auckland	10.9
11	Southland	10.8
12	Wellington	10.4
13	Marlborough	10.2

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)

Auckland ranks 8 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026
5	Manawatū-Whanganui	7.4
6	Waikato	7.3
7	Hawke's Bay	6.8
8	Auckland	6.7
9	Taranaki	5.8
10	Nelson	5.8
11	Wellington	5.6

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026 (2026 Q3)

Auckland ranks 16 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026
10	Nelson	75%
11	Bay of Plenty	74%
12	Tasman	74%
13	Hawke's Bay	74%
14	Southland	74%
15	Marlborough	74%
16	Auckland	73%

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

More on Auckland: overview · economy and jobs · health · government budget · New Zealand

Sources

Ministry of Social Development: Quarterly Benefit Fact Sheets: Regional Council tables, September 2026 (working-age recipients of main benefits), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b2108068006a…)

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