New contestable grant for Internet-related research

We’ve noticed a shift in the funding landscape for Internet and technology-related research in the last year or two — there’s been a sharp focus on research for commercial aims. We’re all for using tech to its full potential, but don’t want to see that come at the expense of other valid research areas such as digital equity or cybersecurity.   

Our organisation is uniquely positioned to support research that addresses the needs of the Internet community — both the technical community supporting the Internet behind-the-scenes, and the communities of users. 

By providing funding support for research, we can ensure that high-quality data is available to inform the decisions and changes necessary to make Aotearoa’s digital future beneficial for everyone.

So we’re encouraging applications from cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary teams, community-based research and partnerships that will put people at the centre of the technology of the future. 

The possibilities 

We are hoping the successful projects will deepen our collective understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead for New Zealand’s Internet communities. 

There is some great existing research from which to build new, deeper questions. Here’s a glimpse of what we already know: 

• One in 10 New Zealand households still have no Internet access (StatisticsNZ).

• New Zealanders are increasingly cautious about the Internet and that support for oversight of Internet and social media companies remains strong. More than 60% favour tighter regulation (World Internet Project 2025). 

• The majority of New Zealanders intentionally disconnect from the Internet sometimes, often to create space for face-to-face connections (The demographics of digital disconnection, 2024).

• Māori, Pacific peoples and people with disabilities have different perceptions of and experiences of online life. People with a disability or impairment, and Māori are more likely to experience online harm or harassment than average (2025 Internet Insights).

• Young people have mixed views on social media bans for under-16s, but say they rely on online connection, including through social media, for affirmation and community, especially disabled, rainbow, or geographically isolated mokopuna (Children and young people’s perspectives on a safer digital world, 2026).

• There is limited representation of some people and communities in how, when, and where decisions are made about the Internet, according to An Internet that benefits research report (2023). 

• Young people perceive online scams as a normal part of their Internet use, but have limited tools and skills with which to deal with them (Digital Resilience research report, NetSafe & Toroa, 2025)

• New Zealanders experienced a direct financial loss of $5.6 million as a result of cybersecurity incidents in the first three months of this year, largely phishing and credential harvesting (National Cyber Security Centre, Q1 2026 report). 

So what next? What questions would you ask of the communities you’re connected with now? What do we still need to know or what do we already know that we need solutions for?

The Internet is everywhere in our modern daily lives. None of us know what the future holds, but at InternetNZ we want to support robust research that will help communities across Aotearoa thrive online. 

We are laying down a wero, a provocation to take what we know and delve deeper. 

Tirohia ngā kōrero ki kōneki, find out more details on our Current grants page.