Technology, it seems, can be a double-edged sword. But there's no denying it will play an important role in forthcoming decades. Our use of technology for leisure will continue to grow and develop. But how will this affect our relationship with the "real" world? What will our future leisure time look like?
According to Paviour-Smith, technology will enable us to experience "a seamless merging of digital and physical lives" in both work and leisure activities. But he says this doesn't have to be to the detriment of face-to face time.
Just as our future social life will be shaped by technology, so will our creative pursuits. Artists are already transcending the "real" to create exciting new visual worlds. But will technology mean the end of traditional art forms?
Curator and head of Whiti o Rehua School of Art at Massey University Heather Galbraith doesn't think so. She says that as culture becomes more "screen-based", interaction with physical art works will become more popular.
"Galleries and museums will surely evolve to accommodate the changing realities of people's lives, [but] they will continue to be social spaces, where encounters with art are catalysts for conversations, hanging out and meeting up," she explains.
While the digital is likely to play an increasing role in the creation of art, Galbraith still sees traditional materials as being important.
"While David Hockney is making iPad drawings, paint on canvas, panel or paper [will remain relevant]."
Our engagement with books is also set to change. As e-books and online publishing develop, new technologies will arise that make reading digitally more appealing. But according to Sam Elworthy, president of the Publishers Association of NZ, paper books will still have a role to play.
"Paper books fulfil many functions that Kindle and other e-books don't - they can be given as gifts, there is a perception that they are more robust, they look good on shelves. I think the cheap, hardy paperback will continue to be popular."
Interaction and experience are also key components of sport. But sport may be an experience that fewer of us are able to afford in the future. Stephen Stannard, head of the school of sport and exercise at Massey University, says sport will be increasingly hard for lower socio-economic groups to access.
"Only those with money have the leisure time to engage in sport. Sports clubs that don't have much money are really suffering, as people who were previously happy to volunteer their time to coach now often want to be paid for their services. This will increase in the future."
While religion may not traditionally be seen as a leisure activity, Peter Lineham, professor of history at Massey University, says that it can now be seen in that light. He says that churches will play a multidimensional role in our future lives.
"Successful modern religious organisations utilise extremely slick marketing techniques and really understand the market," he says. "A good example of this is Parachute Music Festival; it's now the most successful music event in New Zealand."
Lineham also points to the "emerging church" movement as an example of the future of religion. "Groups in this movement are eclectic - they may focus on candlelight services meditation, they may be Christian or non-Christian - and are often transient."
These grassroots churches are often not affiliated with any denomination; people often meet in houses and engage in inter-faith dialogue.
Whatever the future of our leisure time, Paviour-Smith believes that we will continue to actively engage outside of the digital sphere.
"Most people will want their digital lives to reflect elements of their real life - the desire to share the physical world with those who are not present will continue to drive people's continued participation in social media.
"Yes, people use the internet to form relationships of all kinds - romance, gaming and other interests but they will pursue most of those in the real world too.
