The number of beneficiaries in Tauranga decreased dramatically in one year, but a budget adviser says more workers are struggling with the cost of living.
In Tauranga, the drop was particularly dramatic at 8.5 per cent from the last quarter of 2015 to the final quarter of last year.
Regionally, there was a 4 per cent decrease in Bay of Plenty benefit recipients, according to the Work and Income data.
Tauranga Budget Advisory Service manager Diane Bruin said the service was seeing noticeably fewer beneficiaries, but more working people.
"The number of wage earners has increased . . . they're maybe starting to address financial issues."