The first World Internet Project New Zealand (WIPNZ) survey was conducted in September/October last year by the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

The WIPNZ surveyed a sample of 1,529 New Zealanders about their usage of and attitudes towards the Internet. The questionnaire focused on areas such as online buying habits, e-commerce, identity, socialising and content creation on the web.

The findings revealed that New Zealanders are changing as a nation as a result of the Internet. In particular, New Zealanders are becoming more sociable with friends and family online, with most believing the Internet is considerably enhancing their social contacts rather than diminishing them.

Also revealed was that Internet access, usage, capability and attitudes are all strongly graded by New Zealanders’ age, income and area of residence. The younger, wealthier and more urban respondents were, the more connected they were, and the higher a household’s combined income, the more important the internet was rated in daily life.

The key findings identified in the WIPNZ survey are:

• 81% of New Zealanders surveyed use the internet.

• 55% of respondents and 66% of internet users say the internet is important or very important to their every day life.

• 61% say it would be a problem if they lost internet connection.

• 76% of internet users search for travel information, 63% use the internet to find health information and 57% search for news at least weekly.

• 83% access information about products online.

• 60% buy things online.

• 62% book travel online.

• 77% check their email every day.

• 71% rate the internet higher as an information source than traditional media.

• 81% of users browse the internet at least weekly for entertainment purposes.

• 20% download or watch videos and 26% download or listen to music online at least weekly.

• 13% of all users have their own website, 10% have their own blog, 27% have posted messages on discussion/message boards and 33% have posted photos or videos on the web. Those who create content tend to be under 30.

• 33% of users say their use of the Internet has increased their sense of identification with New Zealand.

• 64% of users report the web has increased the amount of contact they have with their friends, and 58% report an increase in contact with family members.

• New Zealanders have a strong participation in social networking online with 32% instant messaging and 28% participating in social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook or Bebo at least weekly.

The results of the survey will contribute to an international collaborative project, the World Internet Project, which investigates the social, political and economic impact of the internet in nearly 30 countries.

Further research based on this New Zealand data is to be carried out later this year to investigate further detail and explanation behind the findings.