'Good neighbours become good friends' - not in NZ

From left: Reuben Das, Adrian Austin and Elite Chan said they had relatively busy social lives. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Auckland friends Reuben Das, Adrian Austin and Elite Chan regularly get together for a catch-up but they may be bucking a growing trend in New Zealand.

The results of a recent study suggests New Zealanders aren't keeping up social connections, losing touch with friends and neighbours.

The Sovereign Wellness Index has New Zealand trailing other countries when it comes to social connections and community, with our neighbourly relations particularly lacking.

"We came last when compared to 29 European countries that deployed the same survey, which is not only a disappointing result but, when compared to the first Sovereign Wellbeing Index in 2013, it shows no improvement," said Grant Schofield, professor of public health at AUT University, who led the research.

Mr Das, Mr Austin and Ms Chan, though, said they had relatively busy social lives. Meeting for a drink in central Auckland's Cornerbar, they said they went out regularly.

The survey found that only 4 per cent of New Zealanders agreed they felt close to people in their area, which Mr Schofield said was a symptom of sprawling, car-centric cities such as Auckland.

"Community design has a role to play in fostering connections and I don't believe we are seeing the benefit of this in New Zealand.

"Work, play and home are often on opposite sides of the city and the commute is killing our neighbourly interaction and our community integration." The survey also found that almost 40 per cent of Kiwis meet with others socially only once a month or less.

Peter Adams, deputy head of the University of Auckland's School of Population Health said the result suggested there were quite low levels of community engagement. However, he said, it was important to remember that community can be defined in many different ways, with many younger people opting to communicate through social media.

Casey Eden, the co-founder of neighbourly.co.nz, said their website was "a great ice-breaker" for those hoping to get to know their neighbours.

When researching the concept he found many New Zealanders were disconnected from their communities.

Results from a survey carried out by Neighbourly last year found that 85.5 per cent of people wanted to connect with their neighbours, but 71 per cent just didn't see them around enough.

The reasons for this included "our high fences, the influence of internet and digital mobility, language barriers, isolation, high vehicle usage, more desire for privacy and more full-time working parents", said Mr Eden.

Join the conversation on the Herald Life Facebook page