Put your time in the bank

Following the successful launch of the nation’s first timebank in the harbour town of Lyttelton, new banks have been sprouting up throughout the country.

Timebanking is a community movement where members exchange skills and knowledge for credits, which can then be traded for useful services. So a timebanker who spent an hour doing the supermarket shopping for an elderly member would earn one time credit, which could then be exchanged for another service offered by a member – say, computer repairs or language lessons.

There are now over 20 timebanks operating in New Zealand, from Dunedin to Kaitaia.

Everyone’s skills are worth the same at the timebank, says Wellington co-ordinator Hannah Mackintosh – one hour equals one credit – and the upside of all the trading in cooking, photography, DIY and bike repairs has been more community engagement and new friendships. New members at the Wellington bank need two referees and go through a compulsory police check, says Hannah. This ensures members stay safe as timebankers are sometimes asked into homes, though rules vary around the country. Once signed up, members log into the bank’s website which keeps track of time credits earned and jobs people need help with. www.timebank.org.nz