New Zealanders are spending more time online than ever, a new study by InternetNZ has found. The survey revealed that 50% of respondents spend four or more hours of their leisure time online each day, engaging in activities such as streaming TV shows, listening to music, and using social media. “Streaming of TV, films, and music is considered internet use in the survey,” an InternetNZ spokesman clarified.
The research also showed differences in online behavior between genders, with women spending more time on social media and messaging compared to men. The study, conducted by Verian on a representative sample of 1001 Kiwis, found that the 30-39 age group is particularly active online, with 53% spending four or more hours per day on the internet. Their main activities include social media, email, streaming TV shows, and reading news online.
Facebook remains the most popular social media platform, with 58% of respondents checking it at least once a day. However, despite the high engagement, only 35% of people know where to report online issues, such as to NetSafe, CertNZ, Internal Affairs, and the police.
Kiwis’ increasing online engagement
InternetNZ chief executive Vivien Maidaborn emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and accuracy of online information. “The amount of time we’re spending online highlights the need to ensure that the information we’re consuming is safe, fair, and accurate,” she said. The survey also revealed a shift in work-from-home trends, with fewer people taking advantage of this option despite nearly half of New Zealanders expressing a desire to do so more often.
Currently, 38% of respondents work from home some or all of the time, down from 46% in the 2023 survey. Furthermore, the study found that 68% of respondents are concerned about the potential malicious use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the lack of regulation surrounding it. Only 10% expressed more excitement than concern about AI, while 44% reported feeling more concerned than excited.
Maidaborn commented on the findings, stating, “We’re mostly still getting to grips with AI and exploring what it means to us. The concern that New Zealanders are expressing is reasonable, given the lack of awareness and education or governmental guidance there is about it.”
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