The latest monthly benefit data was released on Friday.
Here are three observations.
There are more Cook Islanders on benefits in New Zealand than the Cook Island’s entire working-age population
Cook Island’s resident population doesn’t fluctuate much.
According to the Cook Islands Statistics Office, around 12,000 resident Cook Islanders were aged 15 and over.
Here in New Zealand, at October 2025, there are 14,469 Cook Islanders on a benefit.
I wonder how many Cook Islanders are on benefits in China?
Over the last 30 years, benefit dependence due to ill health and disability has grown from one in five to one in two.
In 1995, 73,723 people received a sickness or invalid benefit – 21.8 per cent of all beneficiaries. Today 49.4 per cent receive the equivalent benefits.
Even when – or if – unemployment reduces, most of these people will remain dependent with an ever-increasing portion suffering from mental illness.
At 411,012 in October 2025, New Zealand has its highest absolute number of beneficiaries ever.
In 1992, when unemployment peaked at over 10 per cent, there were 340,715 people receiving a main benefit.
Then, according to MSD: “The number of clients receiving an income tested benefit at 31 December increased from 399,071 to 401,415 between 1998 and 1999 but has declined for the last four years.”
The next peak was the GFC when the number reached 352,707.
What about the Covid crisis? Numbers peaked at 389,601 in January 2021 and then abated.
Now, at 411,012 in October 2025, New Zealand has the highest absolute number of beneficiaries ever.
And by Christmas, the predictable seasonal high will take us to another new record.
This article was originally published on the author’s blog.
