Poverty and living standards in Northland, New Zealand: official figures
23,151 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Northland were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, up 2.4% from 22,605 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 Northland?
In September 2026, Northland had 13,242 people on Jobseeker Support (11.3 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, the highest of 16 regions), 5,016 on Sole Parent Support and 4,656 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 12,795, 4,956 and 4,608.
Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copyWho receives benefits in Northland?
Māori made up 64.2% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Northland in September 2026 (14,082 of 21,930 people); Pacific Peoples made up 4.7%. 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 Northland?
75% of main-benefit recipients in Northland had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (17,370 people), and 15% were aged 18 to 24 (3,366). Women were 53% of recipients.
Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copyHow Northland compares with other regions
Main-benefit recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
Northland ranks 2 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)
Northland ranks 1 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)
Northland ranks 9 of 16, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Wellington | 76% |
| 7 | Waikato | 76% |
| 8 | Otago | 75% |
| 9 | Northland | 75% |
| 10 | Nelson | 75% |
| 11 | Bay of Plenty | 74% |
| 12 | Tasman | 74% |
More on Northland: 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.