Wellbeing comes about as a result of those aspects of life that we as a society agree contribute to our individual happiness, quality of life, and welfare. To get a sense of the level of wellbeing in New Zealand and how it has changed over time, we need to identify what those aspects of life are.
Many of the constituent components of wellbeing will be common to all New Zealanders. For example, Professor Mason Durie has noted important outcomes for Māori are likely to include outcomes relevant to the rest of society such as good health and a high standard of living.1 However, the needs and aspirations of different people and communities will also vary in important ways. For example, for people who get comfort and strength from their religion, an important outcome could be spiritual wellbeing, and this might mean for example, having access to a place of worship. Reflecting this diversity within the social report outcomes framework is not any easy thing to do.
The New Zealand Royal Commission on Social Policy (1988) is a useful source of research on what New Zealanders agree to constitute wellbeing and a decent quality of life. The Commission concluded that:
The Social Report 2004 identifies 10 components of wellbeing. We refer to these components as 'desired social outcomes'. The table below summarises these outcomes.[New Zealanders] have said that they need a sound base of material support including housing, health, education and worthwhile work. A good society is one which allows people to be heard, to have a say in their future, and choices in life... [they] value an atmosphere of community responsibility and an environment of security. For them, social wellbeing includes that sense of belonging that affirms their dignity and identity and allows them to function in their everyday roles.2
Table IN1. The 2004 Social Report outcome domains and statements of desired outcomes
| Outcome Domain | Statement of desired Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Health | All people have the opportunity to enjoy long and healthy lives. Avoidable deaths, disease, and injuries are prevented. All people have the ability to function, participate, and live independently or appropriately supported in society. |
| Knowledge and Skills | All people have the knowledge and skills they need to participate fully in society. Lifelong learning and education are valued and supported. All people have the necessary skills to participate in a knowledge society. |
| Paid Work | All people have access to meaningful, rewarding and safe employment. An appropriate balance is maintained between paid work and other aspects of life. |
| Economic Standard of Living | New Zealand is a prosperous society, reflecting the value of both paid and unpaid work. All people have access to adequate incomes and decent, affordable housing that meets their needs. With an adequate standard of living, people are well placed to participate fully in society and to exercise choice about how to live their lives. |
| Civil and Political Rights | All people enjoy civil and political rights. Mechanisms to regulate and arbitrate people's rights in respect of each other are trustworthy. |
| Cultural Identity | New Zealanders share a strong national identity, have a sense of belonging, and value cultural diversity. All people are able to pass different cultural traditions on to future generations. Māori culture is valued and protected. |
| Leisure and Recreation | All people are satisfied with their participation in leisure and recreation activities. All people have adequate time in which they can do what they want to do, and can access an adequate range of different opportunities for leisure and recreation. |
| Physical Environment | The natural and built environment in which people live is clean, healthy, and beautiful. All people are able to access natural areas and public spaces. |
| Safety | All people enjoy physical safety and feel secure. People are free from victimisation, abuse, violence and avoidable injury. |
| Social Connectedness | People enjoy constructive relationships with others in their families, whanau, communities, iwi and workplaces. Families support and nurture those in need of care. New Zealand is an inclusive society where people are able to access information and support. |
Nine of these domains were selected for use in The Social Report 2001. Stakeholder consultation after the publication of The Social Report 2001 revealed general public support for the chosen domains, but also backing for a number of changes. The majority of these changes were incorporated into The Social Report 2003 and are summarised in Appendix One. However, the most significant recommendation, the addition of a new leisure and recreation domain, could not be implemented until this year because of a lack of suitable data from which to derive indicators in this domain. We will continue to review the choice of outcome domains and indicators as part of the annual process of producing the social report each year.
The outcome domains are interconnected. Doing well or poorly in one domain is often likely to impact upon performance in another outcome domain. For example, participation in leisure and recreation is a good thing in itself, but it may also lead to improved physical and mental health, and better social networks.
