Satisfaction with leisure time

Relevance

Leisure time is a crucial component of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. It is a time when people can do what they want to, separate from work and other commitments.

Current level and trends

In 2008, three-quarters of New Zealanders (75 percent) were satisfied overall with their leisure time (41 percent were satisfied and 34 percent were very satisfied). These results are very similar to those in 2006, when 73 percent of New Zealanders were satisfied with their leisure time (42 percent satisfied and 31 percent very satisfied).

Figure L1.1 Satisfaction with leisure time, 2006 and 2008

Sources: Quality of Life Survey 2006; Quality of Life Survey 2008

Age differences

While the majority of New Zealanders were satisfied with their leisure time, those aged 25–34 years (68 percent), 35–44 years (68 percent) and 45–54 years (70 percent) were less satisfied overall than other age groups. These age groups tend to have larger work and family commitments than other groups, which may impinge on the time available for leisure. In comparison, those aged 15–24 years and those aged 55–64 years were more likely to report being satisfied with their leisure time, with total satisfaction levels of 78 percent and 77 percent respectively. People aged 65 years and over reported the highest levels of overall satisfaction with their leisure time (90 percent).

Figure L1.2 Satisfaction with leisure time, by age group, 2008

Source: Quality of Life Survey 2008

Sex differences

There was little difference between males and females in reported satisfaction with leisure time. Seventy-four percent of men and 76 percent of women reported they were satisfied or very satisfied with their leisure time.

Ethnic differences

Most New Zealanders, regardless of their ethnicity, were satisfied with their leisure time. In 2008, the European ethnic group (76 percent), Māori (75 percent) and Pacific peoples (74 percent) had similar levels of satisfaction with their leisure time, while people of Asian ethnicity had lower levels of satisfaction (70 percent).

Household type differences

People who live in households with children aged under 18 years had lower levels of satisfaction with their leisure time (68 percent) than people in households without children of that age (80 percent).

Socio-economic differences

In 2008, satisfaction with leisure time was highest for people with an annual personal income of $30,000 or less (79 percent). This reflects the high proportion of people aged 65 years and over and 15–24 years in this income range. People with personal incomes in all income groups above $30,000 had similar levels of satisfaction with their leisure time (between 73 percent and 70 percent).

People employed full-time had lower levels of satisfaction with their leisure time (69 percent) than people employed part-time (80 percent), those who were unemployed (77 percent) or those not in the labour force (85 percent).

Regional differences

People who live in Porirua City had the highest level of satisfaction with their leisure time (80 percent), while people from Waitakere City (70 percent) and Hamilton City (69 percent) had the lowest levels of satisfaction with their leisure time.

» View technical details about the satisfaction with leisure time indicator