Close and supportive relationships with others are associated with better health and wellbeing, low crime, higher educational achievement, economic growth, and other positive benefits. These relationships could be with family, whanau, friends, neighbours, work colleagues and those we meet through sport and leisure activities, voluntary work and community service. Fears about crime and personal safety that keep people indoors, and reduce community participation, also deplete social connectedness.
In 2010 the vast majority of Christchurch residents reported that they had rarely felt isolated or lonely over the past twelve months. Fewer than 2% said they were lonely most or all of the time.
Some groups are more likely to feel lonely. Older people (65+) and women were more likely to report feeling isolated at least some of the time, and 9% of Māori in Christchurch reported that they felt isolated "always" or "most of the time".
Read the full issue summary on social connectedness [PDF] - updated September 2016.