Which are the most generous NZ towns?

December 2, 2011

Mirror mirror on the wall, which are the most generous New Zealand towns of all?

Oxfam has revealed New Zealand’s most generous towns in its first-ever Oxfam Unwrapped Generosity List. By looking at the numbers and locations of gifts given through the Oxfam Unwrapped appeal, the organisation has named the South Island town of Upper Moutere as the country’s most generous.

Oxfam’s Direct Marketing Manager Karen Watson said the list of top towns reflected the widespread generosity of Kiwis. “We already know that New Zealanders are some of the most giving people in the world, but this list shows that generosity isn’t limited to the cities. It shows just how big the hearts of small towns are.”

Upper Moutere ranked highest on the list for having donated the most gifts for its population size – around 152 people, according to the Tasman District Council. The number two and three spots went to Takaka, also in the Tasman district, and Ohaupo in the Waikato.

The town with the highest average annual gift value (of $158.68), and far above the national average value of $18.60 was the Hauraki district town of Ngatea.

Areas with the top total gifting are Auckland, with nearly $750,000 donated over the last five years, Wellington and Christchurch.

Oxfam Unwrapped is a breath of fresh air in an era of throwaway Christmas presents. Here’s how it works: choose something from the Oxfam Unwrapped catalogue, get a card to give to your friend, and the actual gift goes to people in the developing world who need it most. In the past six years, Kiwis have raised over $4 million through Oxfam Unwrapped to help people in the world’s poorest countries work their way out of poverty and achieve fundamental human rights.

“The impact of Oxfam Unwrapped is massive,” said Watson. “Through the generosity of thousands of Kiwis, toilets have been built, gardens have been planted, clean water systems have put an end to hours of walking to collect dirty water, livestock has multiplied, farmers have gained organic certification, trees have been planted and small businesses have been given successful starts.”

There are nearly 50 future-changing presents to choose from. Gifts start at just $10 so even people with limited funds can make a big difference…and get their town in the running for next year’s Generosity List!
Oxfam Unwrapped gifts can be purchased online or by calling toll-free 0800 600 700. Check out www.oxfamunwrapped.org.nz to find out more.
The top 10 most generous towns in Oxfam Unwrapped’s Generosity List are:
1. Upper Moutere
2. Takaka
3. Ohaupo
4. Russell
5. Paekakariki
6. Warkworth
7. Lyttelton
8. Port Chalmers
9. Collingwood
10. Cheviot

ENDS

Notes to editor:
• The generosity list was formulated by calculating the number of gifts given per capita of population from data spanning the last five years.
• Only towns from which at least 10 gifts were purchased, over the last five years, were counted for the purpose of the list.

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