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Story: Domestic recreation and hobbies

Activities enjoyed daily, 1991

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Activities enjoyed daily, 1991

A major leisure survey was conducted by the Hillary Commission in 1991. Among the topics covered were the activities New Zealanders enjoyed on a daily basis. The daily activities people did, but did not enjoy, were not recorded; it was not a survey of free-time use in general. Reading, watching TV, listening to the radio and outdoor recreation were the daily activities most enjoyed by both genders. Reading was the most popular for both women and men, though it was more popular with women. Men seemed to find eating far more enjoyable than women, but women enjoyed cooking more than men. And while 7% of women enjoyed housework, only 1% of men did. 

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Grant Cushman, Life in New Zealand: commission report. Vol. 4, Leisure. Wellington: Hillary Commission for Recreation and Sport, 1991

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How to cite this page

Kerryn Pollock, Domestic recreation and hobbies – Recreation with family and friends, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/graph/41100/activities-enjoyed-daily-1991 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 14 March 2013.