In 1978, a national survey was conducted in New Zealand to determine the extent of participation in continuing education and the level of unmet need for these activities. A questionnaire was developed dealing with respondent characteristics, spare time and interests, agency-directed learning activities (ADLAS), and unmet needs, and administered to a random sample of 1500 persons past the age of 15 who were not attending a formal education program. Both rural and urban dwellers were represented. It was found that 30 percent of the sample were participating in ADLAS conducted by a wide variety of educational institutions, community organizations, clubs, sports organizations, and special interest groups. Participants were more likely to be younger people; more likely to be in paid employment and in professional or technical occupations; more likely to own or have the use of private transport; and more likely to have lived in their location for less than five years. Sports, educational and vocational ADLAS were most popular among those aged 30-49 years. Programs were mostly close to home, and were more often attended by women with dependent children than by women without children. Women who worked full time often participated in educational and vocational ADLAS, as did their male counterparts. It was also found that a high proportion of the population has unmet needs for adult learning activities, and that these needs are proportionately greater in craft and art areas than in educational and vocational areas. Finally, it was found, that people were very satisfied with their adult learning experiences. Policy implications are evident from the need to continue to provide ADLAS to meet the needs of the people of New Zealand. (KC)