Work-Life Balance Report - Results Overdue!

Work-Life Balance Report - Results Overdue!

It’s not just about spending time with your family outside of work. It’s about re-creation.

The Achieving Balanced Lives and Employment – what New Zealanders are saying about work-life balance, report released yesterday by the Minister of Labour is a great step towards recognising the value of recreation according to the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA).

“As a nation, we seem to have lost the ability to take time out to recreate with all of the pressures on us from work, family responsibilities and commuting” said Brendon Ward, Chief Executive of the NZRA.

“Self renewal and being vitalised is a key part of living a quality life. Whether it’s being physically active, like running or swimming, or passively recreating, like having a picnic in the botanical gardens, the most important thing is to value and maximise our recreation time” says Ward.

Currently Territorial Authorities are going through a process of developing and consulting on Long Term Council Community Plans (LTCCP). This process requires the Territorial Authorities to engage with their residents in developing outcomes such as a healthy active community.

This is a chance for all New Zealanders to have a say on what recreation services will be provided over the next ten years in their community.

If we don’t place a value on recreation right now and have a say through the LTCCP process, future recreation provision is in danger of being lost amongst other priorities”.

“NZRA absolutely agree with SPARC that the active choice is the best choice and that employers need to encourage physical activity in the workplace. However the excuse that ‘work commitments can get in the way’ is something the whole country needs to have a re-think on” Ward said.

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