Leisure and rural communities : a case study of needs and attitudes in Waipu, Northland, New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis investigates the leisure of people in rural communities using a case study approach. A mail survey was conducted among the residents of Waipu, a rural community in Northland. The study examined the needs and attitudes associated with leisure, as well as the understanding of leisure, leisure participation, and leisure intentions. Attention is also focused on the features and characteristics of rural communities.

The results suggest that a range of perceptions, beliefs, feelings and intentions are associated with leisure, and that these can be the result of a number of personal and social factors. The study identified a number of statistically significant findings between males and females and among various age groups in the areas of latent and manifest need, cognitive attitudes, affective attitude and leisure behaviour and activity.

The study finishes with a summary of results, along with conclusions suggesting that rural communities and their leisure, including the needs and attitudes associated with leisure, are influenced by societal expectations, traditional roles and responsibilities, the family and the purpose of leisure. The implications of the study are discussed and ideas for further research are identified.