What share of people are on a benefit in Wellington?

There are about 10.4 main-benefit recipients for every 100 residents aged 15 to 64 in Wellington (Stats NZ's June 2025 provisional estimate of 364,800 people), compared with 12.0 across the 16 regions combined. The rate is 5th lowest of 16 regions. This ratio is calculated from the two published counts; the age bands are not identical.

Poverty and living standards in Wellington, New Zealand: official figures

37,875 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Wellington were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, down 0.0% from 37,878 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)

37,875

2026 Q3

How many people receive Jobseeker Support in Wellington?

In September 2026, Wellington had 20,433 people on Jobseeker Support (5.6 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, 6th lowest of 16 regions), 6,264 on Sole Parent Support and 10,707 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 20,982, 6,195 and 10,242.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

Who receives benefits in Wellington?

Māori made up 34.4% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in Wellington in September 2026 (11,940 of 34,668 people); Pacific Peoples made up 13.3%. 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 Wellington?

76% of main-benefit recipients in Wellington had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (28,863 people), and 18% were aged 18 to 24 (6,771). Women were 51% of recipients.

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

How Wellington compares with other regions

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

Wellington ranks 12 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
9	Nelson	11.5
10	Auckland	10.9
11	Southland	10.8
12	Wellington	10.4
13	Marlborough	10.2
14	Canterbury	10.0
15	Tasman	9.6

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

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

Wellington ranks 11 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026
8	Auckland	6.7
9	Taranaki	5.8
10	Nelson	5.8
11	Wellington	5.6
12	Marlborough	5.3
13	Tasman	5.0
14	Southland	4.9

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

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

Wellington ranks 6 of 16, highest first.

Rank	Region	Share of main-benefit recipients on a benefit for more than a year, September 2026
3	Canterbury	77%
4	West Coast	77%
5	Gisborne	76%
6	Wellington	76%
7	Waikato	76%
8	Otago	75%
9	Northland	75%

Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copy

More on Wellington: 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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