Nearly a thousand Northlanders had their benefits cut last financial year for travelling overseas without letting officials know.
Ministry of Social Development figures show 986 Northlanders had benefits cut for going overseas without telling Work and Income. That was down on the previous year's 1050. Benefits related to jobseeker support were those most often cut.
Whangarei Citizens Advice Bureau co-ordinator Moea Armstrong said some people received a "nasty surprise" if they went away for a week then came back and realised they had no benefit. She thought the main reason people failed to tell Work and Income about their travel was because they were unaware they had to.
The Citizens Advice Bureau told beneficiaries planning to travel they had to notify Work and Income before leaving and let them know how long they'd be away.
However, locals were more likely to seek advice on the travel issue after they'd had their benefit cut.