Poverty and living standards in Taranaki, New Zealand: official figures
11,184 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Taranaki were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, up 1.4% from 11,031 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 Taranaki?
In September 2026, Taranaki had 4,596 people on Jobseeker Support (5.8 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, 8th lowest of 16 regions), 2,088 on Sole Parent Support and 4,416 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 4,575, 2,115 and 4,245.
Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copyWho receives benefits in Taranaki?
Māori made up 40.7% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Taranaki in September 2026 (4,308 of 10,572 people); Pacific Peoples made up 2.3%. 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 copyHow long do people stay on a benefit in Taranaki?
78% of main-benefit recipients in Taranaki had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (8,682 people), and 16% were aged 18 to 24 (1,827). Women were 54% of recipients.
Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copyHow Taranaki compares with other regions
Main-benefit recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
Taranaki ranks 7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 9 | Nelson | 11.5 |
| 10 | Auckland | 10.9 |
Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
Taranaki ranks 9 of 16, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Waikato | 7.3 |
| 7 | Hawke's Bay | 6.8 |
| 8 | Auckland | 6.7 |
| 9 | Taranaki | 5.8 |
| 10 | Nelson | 5.8 |
| 11 | Wellington | 5.6 |
| 12 | Marlborough | 5.3 |
Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
Taranaki ranks 2 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 Taranaki: 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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