Poverty and living standards in Gisborne, New Zealand: official figures
6,603 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Gisborne were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, down 0.1% from 6,612 a year earlier. The Ministry of Social Development counts Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment and other main benefits.
How many people receive Jobseeker Support in Gisborne?
In September 2026, Gisborne had 2,892 people on Jobseeker Support (8.9 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, 2nd highest of 16 regions), 1,542 on Sole Parent Support and 2,121 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 2,991, 1,485 and 2,079.
Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copyWho receives benefits in Gisborne?
Māori made up 81.1% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Gisborne in September 2026 (5,082 of 6,270 people); Pacific Peoples made up 3.7%. 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 copyHow long do people stay on a benefit in Gisborne?
76% of main-benefit recipients in Gisborne had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (5,040 people), and 16% were aged 18 to 24 (1,077). Women were 56% of recipients.
Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copyHow Gisborne compares with other regions
Main-benefit recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
Gisborne ranks 1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gisborne | 20.4 |
| 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 |
Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
Gisborne ranks 2 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 |
Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
Gisborne ranks 5 of 16, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Taranaki | 78% |
| 3 | Canterbury | 77% |
| 4 | West Coast | 77% |
| 5 | Gisborne | 76% |
| 6 | Wellington | 76% |
| 7 | Waikato | 76% |
| 8 | Otago | 75% |
More on Gisborne: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.