What share of people are on a benefit in Hawke's Bay?

There are about 15.3 main-benefit recipients for every 100 residents aged 15 to 64 in Hawke's Bay (Stats NZ's June 2025 provisional estimate of 109,500 people), compared with 12.0 across the 16 regions combined. The rate is 4th highest of 16 regions. This ratio is calculated from the two published counts; the age bands are not identical.

Poverty and living standards in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand: official figures

16,719 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Hawke's Bay were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, up 1.0% from 16,551 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)

16,719

2026 Q3

How many people receive Jobseeker Support in Hawke's Bay?

In September 2026, Hawke's Bay had 7,491 people on Jobseeker Support (6.8 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, 7th highest of 16 regions), 3,762 on Sole Parent Support and 5,307 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 7,437, 3,642 and 5,304.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Who receives benefits in Hawke's Bay?

Māori made up 56.8% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Hawke's Bay in September 2026 (8,973 of 15,798 people); Pacific Peoples made up 6.3%. 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 Hawke's Bay?

74% of main-benefit recipients in Hawke's Bay had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (12,363 people), and 17% were aged 18 to 24 (2,775). Women were 56% of recipients.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

How Hawke's Bay compares with other regions

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

Hawke's Bay ranks 4 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

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

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

Hawke's Bay ranks 7 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026
4	Bay of Plenty	7.8
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

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

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

Hawke's Bay ranks 13 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 Hawke's Bay: 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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