In Auckland's vibrant Karangahape Road, a laundromat doubles as a music installation, offering customers a chance to listen to tunes while doing laundry. Created by musician Jefferson Chen, 34, and artist Quentin Lind, 32, the project aims to bring together people from different walks of life. 'It's really easy to exist online and not have these connections, and we're also slowly losing our public spaces,' Lind says.
This initiative addresses a growing concern in New Zealand, where social cohesion is declining across key measures. A report by the Helen Clark Foundation released in May found financial stress, falling trust in government, and rising isolation are driving disconnection among the country's 5.3 million people. Co-author economist Shamubeel Eaqub warns New Zealand is becoming 'fractured' rather than polarised, making it hard to meet across differences and make lasting decisions.
Regional Disparities in Social Fragmentation
The report tracked attitudes in 2025 compared to a year earlier, revealing stark regional differences. Four main issues emerged: cost of living, falling trust in government, isolation, and rising anti-immigrant attitudes. However, younger New Zealanders aged 18-35 feel more optimistic about social cohesion than older generations.
Northland: Economic Hardship
In Northland, 39% of respondents experience food insecurity, well above the national average of 24%, and over half are financially dissatisfied. Every Monday, about 180 people attend a community cafe offering free and cheap food in Whangārei, says Liz Cassidy-Canning, CEO of Whare Āwhina. Despite crumbling infrastructure and rising housing costs, the region prides itself on generosity, and economic frustration has not turned into anti-migrant sentiment.
Wellington: Democratic Discontent
With a general election in November, trust in government institutions dropped from 42% in 2024 to 39% in 2025. Only 12% of New Zealanders believe the system is working fine, down 4%. In Wellington, most believe elections are fair, but only 22% are satisfied with democracy. Business owner Lucy Kebbell says leaders no longer prioritise public interest, and democracy feels 'fought at the extremes.'
Otago-Southland: Rural Isolation
This region is most content with government systems but faces thinning social connections: 20% feel isolated and nearly half feel disconnected from their community. Former dairy farmer Jason Herrick, running for New Zealand First, experienced a mental health crisis in 2018. He notes that sports clubs are diminishing and services have moved to larger centres, leaving rural communities more isolated than 20-30 years ago.
National Attitudes and Glimmers of Hope
Attitudes towards immigration are becoming more negative, with multiculturalism viewed positively by 67%—the lowest since 2011—and 31% believing immigrants take jobs. Poverty harms social cohesion, as struggling individuals engage less with community and lose faith in systems. Waikato and Bay of Plenty report higher scepticism around immigration and distrust in institutions. In contrast, Hawke's Bay-Gisborne has the largest 'ambivalent middle', while Canterbury shows higher connection and trust.
Strengthening social cohesion is vital for a resilient society, Eaqub says. 'Social cohesion isn't a nice to have—it's what allows a country to make difficult decisions and navigate long-term challenges.'
Unity in Auckland
In Auckland, Lind and Chen recognise 'dire circumstances' but see communities coming together. 'There is nothing quite like being in the same stitch-up, recognising each other's challenges and struggles,' Chen says. Aucklanders also report being more attracted to authoritarian governance, which Lind and Chen work against. 'We know that fascism is on the rise and if we don't claim the spaces ourselves, then the right will be really quick to claim them,' Lind says.
