That was followed by Northland (634), Waikato (480) and the Bay of Plenty (405).
While it was unclear from the information released how many people had their benefits cut, the Southern region - Otago and Southland - recorded 101 arrest notifications.
Work and Income deputy chief executive Debbie Power said the Government was committed to stopping the benefits of people who had not resolved their warrant to arrest.
Police, due to the high volumes involved, are unable to follow up on all unresolved warrants.
She said the policy was not designed to save costs, but ''assists in clearing outstanding arrest warrants for people who continually refuse to acknowledge or resolve them''.
The Ministry of Social Development was unable to provide information on the cost saving of the policy.
Following the policy announcement, then social development minister Paula Bennett told the ODT the administration costs of the policy were ''minimal at around $139,000 a year''.
''But there are benefits to the justice system, as this will address the problem of people not turning up to court appearances and creating costly delays.''
Acting Social Development Minister Jo Goodhew said ''the policy is working as intended''.
''Taxpayers shouldn't be funding people to actively avoid the police. The intention has always been about making sure people front up to their legal obligations.''
The process
What happens when people on benefits have warrants for arrest:
• Courts issue arrest warrants.
• Police follow up on all issued warrants.
• Warrants can be resolved at any courthouse.
• Justice Ministry advises Ministry of Social Development of warrants not cleared within 28 days.
• People with unresolved warrants have 10 working days to contact Justice Ministry to clear warrant; otherwise benefit payments can be stopped.
• No more than half of benefit payable will be stopped for people with dependent children.
• For couples, payment will be stopped for person with outstanding warrant; remaining portion still paid to spouse or partner.
