Aotearoa Internet Insights 2024
Each year, we check in with New Zealanders to gain real-time insights into our attitudes towards the Internet. As we spend more of our lives online, this research allows us, as a country, to better understand how we are using the Internet, and how we feel about it.
Verian compiled the survey, polling 1,001 people in Aotearoa to reveal how the Internet is impacting our lives.
The info below is just some of the key findings from the report.
Internet useHow New Zealanders use the Internet
Half of Aotearoa spend four or more hours a day on the Internet for personal use.
New Zealanders spend most of this time online on social media, checking and sending emails, and streaming content.
Facebook is by far the most used social media channel. More than half of New Zealanders use it daily. Our top daily social media use:
74% fibre, 16% wireless broadband, 4% satellite/mobile data, 3% ADSL/VDSL, 2% Unknown.
Internet connection
Three quarters of New Zealanders have Fibre at home. Sixteen percent get their Internet connection via wireless broadband.
ConcernsInternet positivity steadily declining
76% of Aotearoa feel the positives of the Internet outweigh the negatives.
This positivity has been steadily declining over the last five years.
Despite the high level of general positivity, New Zealanders are polarised when it comes to the impact the internet has on our cultural beliefs and values.
The top concerns
We asked New Zealanders what their level of concern is about different aspects of the Internet. The top concerns (% extremely/very concerned):
of Pacific peoples are extremely or very concerned about young children accessing inappropriate content online.
of people aged 70 and over are extremely or very concerned about online crime and the security of personal data.
of people with a disability or impairment are extremely or very concerned about Artificial Intelligence (AI’s) impact on society. (Average 49%)
Those aged 50 and over are significantly more concerned about online conspiracy theories. (Average 46%)
This harm and/or harassment comes in many forms but many define their experiences as bullying.
Younger New Zealanders (aged 18 to 29) and those with a disability or impairment are most likely to have experienced online harm or harassment.
Online SafetyOnly 35% of Aotearoa feel they know where to report concerning, harmful, or dangerous content
When asked specifically where they would report such behaviours, the most common responses were Netsafe and the Police.
Those aged 18 to 29 are less likely than average to use passwords and/or pins on their devices while those aged 70 and over are less likely than average to use multifactor authentication.
We asked people where they were going to get information about keeping safe and secure online.
Artificial Intelligence Concern about Artificial Intelligence remains high
25% of Aotearoa feel they know at least a fair amount about AI. This is broadly consistent with 2023 findings.
Top three concerns (% extremely / very concerned):
Accessibility Sixteen percent of respondents identify themselves as having a long-term disability or impairment
We asked this group what, if any, assistive technology do you use when accessing the Internet.
Flexible working Many New Zealanders would like to work from home more often
The most common barrier to people working from home more often is a requirement to work a certain number of days in-office.
Among those whose work can be done from home, just under half (46%) would consider moving to another part of Aotearoa if relocation was available with their current job.
Of those who would consider relocating, the most common reasons are:
More about the research
Find out more about our methodologies,
or download the full report.