What share of people are on a benefit in Bay of Plenty?

There are about 15.1 main-benefit recipients for every 100 residents aged 15 to 64 in Bay of Plenty (Stats NZ's June 2025 provisional estimate of 214,200 people), compared with 12.0 across the 16 regions combined. The rate is 5th highest of 16 regions. This ratio is calculated from the two published counts; the age bands are not identical.

Poverty and living standards in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand: official figures

32,328 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Bay of Plenty were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, up 2.3% from 31,599 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)

32,328

2026 Q3

How many people receive Jobseeker Support in Bay of Plenty?

In September 2026, Bay of Plenty had 16,665 people on Jobseeker Support (7.8 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, 4th highest of 16 regions), 7,689 on Sole Parent Support and 7,605 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 16,467, 7,599 and 7,137.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Who receives benefits in Bay of Plenty?

Māori made up 62.0% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Bay of Plenty in September 2026 (18,849 of 30,402 people); Pacific Peoples made up 4.8%. 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 Bay of Plenty?

74% of main-benefit recipients in Bay of Plenty had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (23,976 people), and 17% were aged 18 to 24 (5,550). Women were 56% of recipients.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

How Bay of Plenty compares with other regions

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

Bay of Plenty ranks 5 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
2	Northland	19.8
3	Manawatū-Whanganui	16.0
4	Hawke's Bay	15.3
5	Bay of Plenty	15.1
6	West Coast	15.1
7	Taranaki	14.1
8	Waikato	13.9

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

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

Bay of Plenty ranks 4 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026
1	Northland	11.3
2	Gisborne	8.9
3	West Coast	7.8
4	Bay of Plenty	7.8
5	Manawatū-Whanganui	7.4
6	Waikato	7.3
7	Hawke's Bay	6.8

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

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

Bay of Plenty ranks 11 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026
8	Otago	75%
9	Northland	75%
10	Nelson	75%
11	Bay of Plenty	74%
12	Tasman	74%
13	Hawke's Bay	74%
14	Southland	74%

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

More on Bay of Plenty: 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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