Poverty and living standards in West Coast, New Zealand: official figures
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.
How many people receive Jobseeker Support in West Coast?
In September 2026, West Coast had 1,629 people on Jobseeker Support (7.8 per 100 residents aged 15 to 64, 3rd highest of 16 regions), 384 on Sole Parent Support and 1,110 on the Supported Living Payment. A year earlier the figures were 1,560, 414 and 1,122.
Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copyWho receives benefits in West Coast?
Māori made up 20.3% of main-benefit recipients with a recorded ethnicity in West Coast in September 2026 (594 of 2,922 people); Pacific Peoples made up 1.2%. 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 West Coast?
77% of main-benefit recipients in West Coast had been on a benefit continuously for more than a year in September 2026 (2,409 people), and 11% were aged 18 to 24 (330). Women were 49% of recipients.
Source: Ministry of Social Development · saved copyHow West Coast compares with other regions
Main-benefit recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
West Coast ranks 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 8 | Waikato | 13.9 |
| 9 | Nelson | 11.5 |
Jobseeker Support recipients per 100 residents aged 15-64, September 2026 (2026 Q3)
West Coast ranks 3 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)
West Coast ranks 4 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 West Coast: 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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