Recognising and celebrating Pacific unpaid work and volunteering

This report by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples – Pacific Economy Research Report on Unpaid Work and Volunteering in Aotearoa – captures Pacific peoples’ insights on volunteering and unpaid productive work. Guided by Pacific research principles and methodologies, data was collected through focus groups, talanoa – discussion – and a survey. It was launched in July 2021.

Recognising and celebrating Pacific unpaid work and volunteering

Research findings have revealed 97 percent of Pacific peoples spend around 66,035 hours per week on unpaid work and volunteering, equating to an average of 33 hours per week per person.

Of this, 44 percent of Pacific peoples contributed a total of $2.4m of their own money to help others over four months, equating to an average of $161 per week per person.

Covid-19 also impacted on unpaid work and volunteering for our pacific communities.  Over half of the survey participants reported providing increased social support during lockdown, while nearly 40 percent of participants reported increased caregiving for the elderly, providing administrative support, and serving as a cultural leader.

Another key finding is that the current government economic measurements of Pacific contributions to the New Zealand economy are underestimated due to cultural differences in defining and measuring unpaid work and volunteering. 

Community Luva – research launch

Volunteering New Zealand Chief Executive Michelle Kitney and Pacific Peoples Board Representative Cathy Aiavao attended the official Launch and Auckland Community Luva for the Pacific Economy Research Report on Unpaid Work and Volunteering in Aotearoa, at Manukau in August 2021.

Key findings were presented at the launch and the research was gifted back to the participant communities.

The research was presented by Hon. Afioga Aupito Toeolesulusulu Tofae Su’a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples. Volunteering New Zealand was gifted the research as a friend of the Ministry of Pacific Peoples.

 

 

 

 

Michelle Kitney
Chief Executive
Volunteering New Zealand