Wellington Timebank
What is the Wellington Timebank?
Members of Wellington Timebank exchange skills, time, and knowledge. We use time instead of money as a currency. Timebank is for everyone! Everyone has skills, abilities, experiences and knowledge. Everyone has needs and things that make our lives easier or more enjoyable.
Our Wellington Timebank community spans across the Wellington region and has over 1000 members.
“Wellington Timebank is important because it is an excellent opportunity to make connections between diverse groups of people, helps build trust in the community, share skills and knowledge!"
- Eduardo, Timebank member since 2019
.png)
Join the Wellington Timebank
To sign up, all you need to do is:
1. Complete the application form.
2. Complete a Ministry of Justice Conviction check
3. Attend one of our monthly in-person introduction sessions to learn about timebanking and meet other timebankers.
Vision, mission, goals
At Wellington Timebank, we are committed to enhancing the lives of members in the community through our wide range of trade opportunities, activities and events.
Vision: In our community we look out for each other and embrace diversity.
Mission: Through exchanging skills, time and knowledge we foster relationships of trust and reciprocity. We harness the real wealth of the community and the value of each individual.
Values:
- We are all assets. Every person has something to contribute.
- Redefining work. All kinds of work need to be honoured and rewarded.
- Reciprocity. Relationships are about giving and receiving. “You need me” becomes “We need each other.”
- Social networks. People looking out for each other helps to weave communities of support, strength and trust.
- Respect. All of us matter and are accountable to one another.
Keep in touch with Wellington Timebank
Sign up to our Newsletter [link]
Contact details
info@wellingtontimebank.org.nz
Wellington Timebank office: Newtown Community Centre, Corner of Rintoul and Colombo Streets, Newtown, Wellington
Members site link
How to use the members site [link to videos on you tube]
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Timebank work?
One hour’s work = one time credit.
You earn credits by doing something for someone else.
You spend credits when somebody else does something for you.
Timebank members make offers and requests on an online platform
An offer is something that you can do for someone else.
A request is something that you’d like someone to do for you.
Log your hours
Keep track of your credits through your account on our online platform
Why should I join the Timebank?
Timebanking is for everyone: No matter what age, background or circumstance. Everyone’s time is valued equally, regardless of what skills are exchanged.
Everyone has something to share: skills, knowledge, abilities, talents. What you find easy or enjoy can benefit someone else and vice versa.
Everyone has needs: You can receive help that you need, that will make your life easier or more enjoyable.
Skill sharing: You can learn new skills. You can share your talents and passions with others
Timebanking works with regular everyday life: You can help people while doing things you are already doing every day. For example, cooking an extra portion of food for someone who needs it or walking your neighbour's kids home. This adds minimal work to your day, and may make an enormous difference to someone!
You can gain extra time by getting the support of others in your daily life!
Community building: You’ll become part of a strong, connected, resilient community where we look out for each other and embrace diversity.
You’ll be a part of a community that values activities that are not always valued in the formal market economy: caring, learning, imparting values, sharing, socialising, raising children, being a good neighbour, helping others
Timebanking is for all seasons of life: Unlike the normalised capitalist system of thinking, at the Timebank we take a lifetime approach, recognising that sometimes you might have more time to give and other times you might be in more need, and time poor. And that's ok! There is no punishment for being in 'time debt.'
How much does it cost?
People who join the Timebank are asked to pay a yearly membership fee. Our fees are on a pay-as-you-can sliding scale. We rely on generosity to keep the Timebank going.
Donate via online banking:
Newtown Community and Cultural Centre 2009 Trust
Account Number 06 0574 0236602 50
What is the history of the Wellington Timebank?
Timebanking is based on the principle of co-production. This involves co-operating together for mutual benefit. Our market economy is based on people using money to exchange things. Money is useful, but markets don’t recognise most of our real value. In a market economy, “value” is based on scarcity. If something is scarce it has a high price. If something is commonly available it has a low price. Many things that people value most (e.g. caring, learning, sharing, socialising, raising children and being a good neighbour) are not valued highly in a market.
In February 2011, the Newtown Community Centre held a workshop with Wellington City Council on Timebanking. It included Anneleise Hall from the successful Lyttelton Timebank. In October 2011, the Wellington South Timebank launched with 150 members. Membership continued to grow with members in more than 22 suburbs, not just in the southern part of Wellington. So the name was changed to the Wellington Timebank. We now have over 1000 members from across the Wellington region, a dedicated and active steering committee, and a very busy Co-coordinator.
Can under 16s join the Timebank?
Yes, but must have a parent or guardian who is a Timebank member who can support their membership.
Can an organisation join the Timebank?
Yes, organisation members are an important part of the Wellington Timebank! We have a number of organisation members who use the Timebank, including some Community Centres, Kaicycle Urban Farm and the Sustainability Trust. Send us an email and we can help you get signed up!
If you are a volunteer for a member organisation you can earn time credits for your time spent volunteering!
Can I donate tools?
Thanks for thinking of us! We are sometimes able to accept donations of tools, if they're in good working condition. Please always contact us first to check if we need them! If we do end up with tools we don't need they are either given to members or to our friends at orgs like Cahoots.
What are some of the things that people trade?
Here are some examples (the possibilities are endless!):
Having a coffee with someone who needs some advice
Mowing the lawn
Dropping someone off at the airport
Teaching someone to swim
Taking someone's rubbish to the dump
Trading a sourdough starter
Practising language skills
DIY workshops
Art lessons
Music lessons
Getting a grammar check for your CV
Walking a neighbour's dog
Oiling a squeaky door
Raking leaves
Cooking workshops
Running errands
Volunteer with one of our organisation members [link].
Venue hire
Te Whare Hapori o Ngā Puna Waiora / Newtown Community Centre is based in the centre of Newtown, on the corner of Colombo and Rintoul Streets, as well as operating other venues around the suburb. With seven affordable venues, with different capacity, style and function, we can provide the perfect space for your community event, party, class, hui or much more!
Book a venue