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Social Capital

Unpaid activities

Unpaid activities are typically considered in two distinct categories: unpaid work and formal volunteering (informal volunteering is typically not captured). Unpaid work comprises non-remunerated family and household-related activities and is regarded as a building block of societal functioning [35,36]. The allocation of unpaid activities (often largely arising from the presence of children in households) tends to be shaped by household economics or ‘who can best afford’ to devote the most time to care activities, in terms of overall household income and other factors [37,38].

Formal volunteering is voluntary work performed in an organised manner, generally in the wider community, usually under the auspices of an organisation. People frequently involved in unpaid caring (be it for children, elderly, or disabled persons) are less likely to participate in formal volunteering [35].

Volunteering can play an important role in contributing to people’s subjective wellbeing and life satisfaction – for example, by helping to build social connections and giving a sense of purpose and belonging within their communities [39]. Volunteering also contributes to skills development and strengthens social cohesion. However, while many people are willing, in principle, to volunteer, most do not [35].

This indicator presents the proportion of those 15 years and over who had undertaken unpaid activities, by type (five types of unpaid work plus formal volunteering) as recorded in the 2018 census. Unpaid activities are activities performed without payment, for people living either in the same household, or outside.

The figure shows that in 2018, nearly all those completing the census in greater Christchurch regularly took part in at least one type of unpaid activity. Almost all respondents (86.5%) regularly took part in unpaid housework. Under one-third of respondents reported looking after a child who is a member of their own household (28.1%) while about six percent (6.4%) reported looking after a person who is ill or has a disability who is a member of their own household. Helping someone who is ill or has a disability who is not a member of their own household was reported by eight percent (8.1%) and looking after a child who is not a member of their own household was reported by just over fourteen percent (14.3%). Fourteen percent of greater Christchurch respondents indicated that they took part in helping or voluntary work, for or through any organisation, group or marae. The responses for greater Christchurch were similar to those for New Zealand overall across all of the activity types.