Aucklanders lonely, financial barriers add to isolation

Almost half of Aucklanders have experienced some level of loneliness and rising costs of living are not helping them to overcome it.

According to Stats NZ, in 2024, approximately 47 per cent of Auckland residents had experienced some level of loneliness, with 4.3 per cent of people feeling lonely most of the time.

New Zealand Association of Counsellors President, Sarah Maindonald, says financial barriers play a significant role in social isolation.

“Social conditions, such as poverty, housing, and employment contribute to isolation because people haven't got the money to do things.”

Auckland’s cost of living is higher than anywhere else in the country, with average weekly rent rising to $624 in 2024, up 7.8 per cent from the previous year.

“Proactive city design which is designed around making things accessible for its citizens, really helps break down isolation and loneliness,” she says.

In a 2022 survey, 72 per cent of those living in Auckland CBD said that a sense of community was important to them, but only 20 per cent agreed that there was a sense of community in the CBD.

“Proactive city design, which is designed around making things accessible for its citizens, really helps break down isolation and loneliness,” Maindonald says.

Founder of Evolving Pathways, Stephen Bell, says multiple challenges must be addressed to improve social connectivity.

“If you look at the issue of loneliness from a developmental lens, it particularly affects adolescents and young adults.”

“A normal part of growing and developing is linking with our peers, linking with partners, linking with people in a work environment, and if there's something that environmentally impacts that, then it will change that landscape.”

Bell says Covid challenged young people’s ability to have “normal engagement” with peers.

“We need to be thinking about how we build communities that welcome, celebrate, and bring young people on board.”

In a statement issued to TWN, Auckland Council General Manager of Planning and Resource Consents John Duguid indicates that new initiatives are being considered to strengthen community unison.

He says that the Council is refreshing its approach to providing open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation in Auckland.

This work involves developing a new Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau: Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy

He says that the aim of the strategy is to “prioritise places to be in nature, relax, be active and connect with friends and whānau, for all Aucklanders no matter where they live.”