Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt is a pillar of virtue when it comes to acting fairly to others.

Members of the older generation who have long suspected young people to be monsters of selfishness might now have research to back their suspicions.

Gen Ys - those aged 18 to 27 - are the least likely to offer you a cup of tea or pay for a round of drinks, and they score lower than their older counterparts in almost every social situation, according to a Great Kiwi Fairness Debate survey of 500 people .

The survey, commissioned by Fairtrade NZ, shows skipping queues, not relinquishing your seat to someone more in need and debating whether to eat that last biscuit are among the moral dilemmas dividing respondents.

Peter Meecham/Fairfax NZ Comedian Guy Williams is doing his generation proud, having never acted unfairly by taking the last biscuit, or failing to buy his round at the pub.

The results have come as no surprise to Fairtrade NZ business manager Pravin Sawmy . He expected older people to identify as being fair, but admits it is diffficult to reach any broad conclusions on whetheryoung people are more unfair than their elders.

While Gen Y let itself down on a number of fairness fronts, and tended to be a little more self-centred , its members do tend to care more about social issues, he says.

"The reality is we all act a little bit unfairly now and again. The quiz is aiming to get people to think about that."

Auckland University social psychology lecturer Danny Osborne reckons the matter of what is fair or not is a matter of interpretation, rather than a generational issue.

He says fairness is an "amorphous concept" that is always evolving. Young people are in some cases more likely than old people to champion causes they believe are fair, such as same-sex marriage.

"In every generation you end up seeing people make that statement that society's becoming worse than it was previously. I'm not sold on that idea. People tend to romanticise the past."

ASKING THE QUESTION

We posed a few fairness questions to well-known Kiwis.

Name: Guy Williams

Age: 27

Occupation: Comedian

Have you ever deliberately jumped a queue?

No. I always just think those sad losers (that do that) have bad lives. If they're trying to improve their life by jumping a queue or cheating the self-services machine at the surpermarket , chances are they're such losers they're not happy in their everyday life

Have you ever avoided buying a round of drinks, even when it was your turn?

No. I'm a white rich kid/man so it's very easy for me to be in that position. I would say kids these days are quite generous with buying things, just pissing money away. If you're bouncing on a round of drinks you're definitely a massive loser. Get a life.

Have you ever pulled into a car park even though someone else has been waiting for it?

No. The only person that would do that is Hitler. You would have to be a psychopath to pull off a move like that.

Ever taken the last biscuit in a meeting when not everyone has had one?

No. I'm a big last biscuit taker. Pizzas, biscuits, I'll often take the last one. But I don't think I'd do it intentionally if everyone hadn't had one. That is law. That is a sacred law. Each person is entitled by rights to a biscuit. If I would take it I would expect some real consequences.

Name: Tim Shadbolt

Age: 68

Occupation: Invercargill mayor

Ever refused to give up a seat on a bus/train for a pregnant or elderly person?

No I was brought up quite traditionally. Taught manners at a young age. We had very strict upbringing and lots of strapping and caning at schools. We were whipped into line really. I don't think that happens any more.

Ever deliberately jumped a queue?

No. Definitely not. Especially if you're a celebrity, queue jumping is like a hanging offence.

Have you ever avoided buying a round of drinks, even when it was your turn?

No. When you go into the pub as a mayor immediately the call goes up 'Mayor's shout'.

Have you ever pulled into a car park even though someone else has been waiting for it?

No. But as a Mayor I've got a sticker that means I can park anywhere. It's the one perk of being a Mayor.