An Official Information Act request showed in 2011 and 2012 frontline Winz staff in Otago were the victims of four physical assaults and 26 verbal threats.
In the same period, there were seven verbal threats to staff in Southland and no abuse of staff recorded in Central Otago or South Canterbury.
The Otago area includes the Balclutha Service Centre, Dunedin Central Community Link, Dunedin Outreach StudyLink, Mosgiel Service Centre, Oamaru Community Link and South Dunedin Service Centre.
Southland includes the Gore Community Link and Invercargill Community Link.
Winz deputy chief executive Debbie Power said Winz staff reported all incidents of abusive or threatening behaviour to a security guard stationed in their office.
''The duties of security guards are to observe, report and intervene in any disputes or conflicts and to protect both Work and Income staff and clients from physical harm.''
Clients who intimidated staff with aggressive and threatening behaviours were issued verbal or written warnings.
However, if a warning had been previously issued or if the incident was serious, such as assault or wilful damage to property, they would be served a trespass notice.
Clients under trespass notices continued to get their full entitlement to assistance, she said.
Contact with Work and Income would continue via telephone, email or through an agent.
There were 43 trespass notices issued to Work and Income clients in the Southern region in 2011 and 2012.
