Key points
This indicator measures respondents participation in social groups and networks, in particular whether the social group or network that matters to them most is made up of people who live in the same area or people who have the same interest, culture or beliefs. Being part of a social group or network generally has positive outcomes for the individual and society. The presence of formal and informal relationships between people facilitates participation in society, encourages a sense of belonging, and enables stable communities.
- Of the total number of Hamilton respondents surveyed during 2006, 24% said they relate mostly to people with same interests, culture or beliefs, 18% said they relate mostly to people living in the same area, and 52% said it was a mixture.
- According to 2008 survey results, the most common social networks to which New Zealand residents belong are family (81.6%), work or school (59.8%) and hobby or interest groups (38.3%). The profile for Hamilton City is similar to the national average.
Location of social networks to which residents belong – Hamilton City and other metropolitan areas 2006
Source: Quality of Life in New Zealand’s Twelve Largest Cities – Residents’ Survey 2006
Social networks and groups to which residents belong - Hamilton City and New Zealand 2008
|
Hamilton |
New Zealand
(total sample) |
| A sports club |
29.7% |
31.9% |
| A church or spiritual group |
31.5% |
28.9% |
| A hobby or interest group |
34.4% |
38.3% |
| A community or voluntary group such as Rotary, the RSA or Lions |
16.8% |
20.4% |
| Family |
82.7% |
81.6% |
| Online community or interest group, including sites like Bebo or Facebook |
41.1% |
30.6% |
| A network of people from work or school |
65.5% |
59.8% |
| Friends |
13.3% |
9.5% |
| Other social network or group |
7.5% |
8.9% |
| None of the above |
2.5% |
3.1% |
Source: Quality of Life Survey 2008
What agencies are doing
Information currently being collated.
What you can do to help
Information currently being collated.
More information
More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here.
What we want to achieve
The community outcome we are seeking to achieve by encouraging participation in social networks and groups is:
- Families are strong and our communities are supportive of them.