Poverty and living standards in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand: official figures
25,365 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Manawatū-Whanganui were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, up 0.2% from 25,323 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 Manawatū-Whanganui?
In September 2026, Manawatū-Whanganui had 11,817 people on Jobseeker Support (7.4 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, 5th highest of 16 regions), 4,830 on Sole Parent Support and 8,481 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 11,817, 4,818 and 8,454.
Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copyWho receives benefits in Manawatū-Whanganui?
Māori made up 44.4% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Manawatū-Whanganui in September 2026 (10,497 of 23,655 people); Pacific Peoples made up 4.5%. 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 Manawatū-Whanganui?
78% of main-benefit recipients in Manawatū-Whanganui had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (19,848 people), and 16% were aged 18 to 24 (4,080). Women were 53% of recipients.
Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copyHow Manawatū-Whanganui compares with other regions
Main-benefit recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
Manawatū-Whanganui ranks 3 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)
Manawatū-Whanganui ranks 5 of 16, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 8 | Auckland | 6.7 |
Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
Manawatū-Whanganui ranks 1 of 16, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manawatū-Whanganui | 78% |
| 2 | Taranaki | 78% |
| 3 | Canterbury | 77% |
| 4 | West Coast | 77% |
| 5 | Gisborne | 76% |
| 6 | Wellington | 76% |
| 7 | Waikato | 76% |
More on Manawatū-Whanganui: 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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