West Coast: population, economy, jobs, health, benefits and council finances
West Coast is a region of New Zealand, number 16 of 16 by population. West Coast had an estimated 34,700 residents at 30 June 2025, 0.7% of New Zealand's 5,324,700. Stats NZ describes this as a provisional estimate, It is the smallest of 16 regions by population.
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in West Coast: The economy of West Coast produced NZ$2,687 million of gross domestic product (GDP) in the year ended March 2025, 0.6% of New Zealand's NZ$431,457 million. It is the smallest of 14 regional economies, counting only regions that Stats NZ reports separately (Stats NZ marks the latest year as provisional).
- Health in West Coast: Life expectancy at birth for males in West Coast was 78.8 years in 2022-2024, compared with 80.1 years for New Zealand. It is joint 4th lowest of 16 regions. In 2005-2007 it was 77.4 years, a change of +1.4 years.
- Poverty and living standards in West Coast: 3,138 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in West Coast were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, up 0.9% from 3,111 a year earlier. The Ministry of Social Development counts Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment and other main benefits.
- Government budget and revenue in West Coast: West Coast Regional Council had total operating income of NZ$21.5 million in the year ended June 2025 and total operating expenditure of NZ$28.5 million, an operating deficit of NZ$7.0 million. As a regional council it does not run local roads, water or rubbish services, which belong to the district and city councils in the region.
Is the population of West Coast growing?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the population of West Coast grew by 0.6% (from 34,500 to 34,700, provisional estimates), compared with 0.7% growth for New Zealand. That growth rate is joint 4th highest of 16 regions.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the median age in West Coast?
The median age in West Coast was 47.7 years at 30 June 2025 (provisional), against 38.2 for New Zealand. People aged 65 and over made up 24.1% of residents (8,300 people) and children aged 0-14 made up 15.8%.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people moved to West Coast in 2025?
In the year to 30 June 2025, West Coast had natural increase (births minus deaths) of -20. Net migration was 240 people (170 international and 60 between regions of New Zealand); negative numbers mean more people left than arrived. These are provisional Stats NZ estimates.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow regions are governed in New Zealand
Regional councils (11). Councillors elected for three years; the chair is elected by councillors. Environment, freshwater, regional transport, civil defence.
Every tier of government in New Zealand
Other regions of New Zealand
- Auckland 1,816,000
- Canterbury 698,200
- Wellington 543,400
- Waikato 532,100
- Bay of Plenty 351,500
- Manawatū-Whanganui 260,700
- Otago 253,900
- Northland 201,100
- Hawke's Bay 179,700
- Taranaki 130,300
- Southland 104,800
- Tasman 59,900
- Nelson 54,300
- Gisborne 52,700
- Marlborough 50,800
Up a level: New Zealand · government and power in New Zealand · cities
Sources
- Stats NZ: Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2025 (GDP by region and industry; GDP per person by region), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cca1f2f77ec7…)
- Stats NZ: Labour market statistics: June 2026 quarter, Household Labour Force Survey Tables 3 and 6 (by regional council area), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 315f48f981cb…)
- Stats NZ: Local authority financial statistics: Year ended June 2025 (income and expenditure, by activity, financial position; nalafs-jun2025-tables-csv.csv), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b12af625c966…)
- Stats NZ: National and subnational period life tables: 2022-2024, Tables 1-3: life expectancy at birth by region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b1e80765f358…)
- 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…)
- Stats NZ: Subnational population estimates: At 30 June 2025 (provisional), Tables 1, 3 and 5: regional council areas, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 001e8a896cfb…)
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