Chart 1: Housing costs have been rising far faster than benefits

$ change in benefits and rents, compared to the level a year earlier

Lower Quartile Rents

Median Rents

Jobseeker Support Benefit

Rental data is annual averages for New Zealand, to reduce volatility and near-term data reliability issues. The Jobseeker Support benefit rate used is the net total for a married couple with no children, with data prior to 2013 referring to the same scenario under the Unemployment Benefit.

Chart: Brad Olsen/Infometrics Source: Infometrics, MSD, MBIE