FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It's ok to be in 'Time debt.' Unlike the normalised capitalistic 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.'

Reciprocity is a key value of Timebanking, and the idea is that you will reciprocate your time when you have that time to share. It is just as important to build community, through meeting Timebank members and sharing your skills and knowledge, as it is to be making time credits. The person who is offering you a trade, may also benefit from the opportunity to share with you! So don't hold back because you are low on Timecredits, get involved now!

Although Timebanking is generally considered as an alternative currency, because Timecredits relate to the quantity of Time and not the value of the NZD, IRD currently does not consider Timebanking taxable in New Zealand, so long as members do not exchange skills that provide their main form of taxable income ($NZ) for Time Credits (as of advice received in 2010).

Everyone has skills and knowledge to share!

Example of trades that have happened in the past include: having a coffee with someone who needs a chat, mowing the lawns, dropping someone off at the airport, teaching someone to swim, taking someone's rubbish to the dump, trading a kombucha SCOBY starter, chatting in a new language, help signing up to vote, make your own moisturizer, art classes, music classes, help fixing a tape player, cutting a tree, grammar checks for CV's, cooking a yum meal etc etc.

The list is endless! Sometimes we might not realise the things that we do for others are inherently valued! With Timebanking, all time is valued equally, no matter what skills/ knowledge or resource you are sharing. Have a think about things you like to do that you could share with others, and what things you might need or want to learn!

At Wellington Timebank we do our very best to make sure you will be safe while Timebanking in your community. All new members follow a sign up process that involves an in person orientation, referee checks and police checks. We advise that if you feel uncomfortable meeting someone at their home or your home, then you could first meet in a public space. To date, we are yet to have any safety issues at Wellington Timebank.

Our fees are a koha based, pay as you can sliding scale. Read more FAQs about our sliding scale, why we have 'fees,' and when we encourage people to pay them at the Donate page.

Feel free to get in touch with our Coordinator if you ever have any issues with a trade or with another member. We are happy to facilitate any conflicting situations that arise, and find the best outcome for everyone. If you would like to make a complaint please send us an email and we will address it as quickly as possible. We hope that you do not have any problems and all your trading will run smoothly!

You can sign up by filling out our online sign up form here, then we will get in touch about the next steps, including coming to an orientation session. If you have mobility issues, we can arrange to sign you up over Zoom or we can come to you! Alternatively you can pop into the Wellington Timebank office during office hours and chat to us then.