Recognising and celebrating Pacific unpaid work and volunteering

One of the most exciting things on the volunteering research front this year has been the launch of an awesome report by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples – Pacific Economy Research Report on Unpaid Work and Volunteering in Aotearoa.

This report 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.

Community Luva – research launch

Chief Executive Michelle Kitney was gifted copy of Pacific Economy Research Report on Unpaid Work and Volunteering in Aotearoa on behalf of Volunteering New Zealand.

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 on August 6th.

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.

Recognising and celebrating Pacific unpaid work and volunteering

Research findings has 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.

Minister Sio noted that “The current economic measurements of Pacific contributions to the New Zealand economy are underestimated due to cultural differences in defining and measuring unpaid work and volunteering,”

Covid-19 is also impacting 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. 

Michelle Kitney
Chief Executive
Volunteering New Zealand