Summary of global questions

What is the level of Government Online adoption?...

- 45% of those living in New Zealand have used the Internet to access Government Online (GO) over the last twelve months, a significant increase in use from 2002 (40%). This continues to be over half (59%) of those who had used the Internet within the last month (55% in 2002). Another significant increase was measured in Internet usage - from 71% in 2002 to 75% in 2003.

- The major Government Online use continues to be Information Seeking (38%). This has remained relatively stable from 2002 (36%). Among other types of Government Online usage there were significant increases in the proportion of New Zealanders who have Downloaded forms to later submit by post or fax (Downloaders 16% from 12% in 2002), those who have used the Internet to express a point of view or participate in community consultations with Government (Consulters 9% from 4% in 2002), and those that have Transacted by using the Internet to pay for Government services or products involving the use of a credit card or bank account number (Transactors 11% from 6% in 2002). 10% have Provided personal details to Government over the Internet (Providers), a similar number as in 2002 (8%).

Who is using Government Online?...

- Incidence of Government Online is strong among all ages up to 59 years, with a plateau of use among those aged 20-49 years where half or more have used a Government Online service in the past twelve months. Incidence continues to be strongest among those aged 20-29 years (52% in 2002 and 60% in 2003) and is relatively equal between genders - males 45% and females 44%. There was a significant increase among females from 2002 (35%) to 2003 (44%).

- Incidence continues to be higher in the cities of Auckland (48% in 2002 to 49% in 2003) and Wellington (53%in 2002 to 59% in 2003) than elsewhere. Among ethnic groups incidence has remained relatively stable with the exception of New Zealander/Pakeha where a significant increase has occurred (from 32% in 2002 to 47% in 2003). Highest usage continues to be by Asians (52%). A low sample size of Pacific Islanders in 2003 has meant that the results for this group are not considered to be statistically reliable.

- Government Online usage continues to increase with income. Households with middle to high income - $50,000 + have significantly greater incidence of Government Online than households with income of less than $50,000. Among households with income of $50-70,000 usage is 55%, $70-100,000 usage is 56% and in households with an income of $100,000 or more usage is 74%. However, there was also a significant increase is use by households with less than $30,000 income, from 22% in 2002 to 33% in 2003.

- Similarly, usage continues to increase with education level with 70% of New Zealanders with University qualifications having used a Government Online service in the past twelve months. A significant increase occurred in the use of GO services among those with Vocational or Technical qualifications (from 40% in 2002 to 54% in 2003).

- As in 2002, New Zealanders with school age children in the household just as likely to use Government Online services (47%) as those without (43%).

Is security a barrier to using Government Online?...

- Over one-third (35%) of New Zealanders consider it safe* to use the Internet to provide the Government with personal information (31% in 2002). 59% consider it as unsafe*, a significant decrease from 64% in 2002.

- The perception of "safe" continues to be higher among those who have used the Internet (43%) in the past month than those who have not (12%) and remain higher among males (41%) than females (29%). There has however been a significant increase in the perception of "safe" among females (from 22% in 2002 to 29% in 2003). Perceptions of safety continue to be stronger among younger New Zealanders (20-29 years 49%; 30-39 years 42%) and those living in Wellington. There were significant increase in the perception of "safe" among those aged 60-69 years (from 7% in 2002 to 15% in 2003) and among residents of Auckland (from 30% in 2002 to 38% in 2003).

- Asians have the greatest perception of "safe" among ethnic groups (43%). However there was a significant increase among New Zealanders/Pakeha from 27% in 2002 to 38% in 2003. Similar to GO incidence the perception of safe increases as income increases, and among higher levels of education. It should be noted that significant increases in incidence have been accompanied by increase in the perception of "safe" - among households with incomes of less than $30,000 the perception of safe in 2003 is 23% from 15% in 2002 and among those with vocational or technical qualifications it is 41% in 2003 from 30% in 2002. This indicates that security fears lessen somewhat with use of Government Online services.

- The perception of safety in providing personal information to Government over the Internet increased significantly among a number of GO user groups - Transactors (from 44% to 61% in 2003, Providers (from 45% to 64% in 2003) and Information Seekers (from 44% to 53% in 2003. Comparatively, among non-users the perception of "safe" remains similar at 22% in 2003 from 21% in 2002.

* Note: In this discussion 'safe' refers to nett safe ('safe' + 'very safe') and unsafe refers to nett unsafe ('unsafe' + 'very unsafe')

How is New Zealand placed internationally?

- New Zealand continues to have the highest level of Internet penetration when compared with the countries participating in the Government Online study. In 2002 New Zealand Internet incidence was 71% - highest out of the 31 countries surveyed. In 2003 Internet incidence in New Zealand is 75% - highest out of the 32 countries surveyed. Penetration of Government Online also continues to be at a high level (45%), with New Zealand 9th in the countries surveyed and above the global average of 30%.

- In 2002 New Zealand was below the global average among Internet users using Government Online services, (at 55%, with the global average 61%). This result is based on a calculation of Internet users who are using Government Online (rather than being based on the total population). A similar result was measured in 2003, with 59% of New Zealand Internet users using Government Online services, and the global average above this at 64%.

- New Zealand had above average usage of Information Seeking (38% compared to global average of 24%), Downloading (16% compared to global average of 11%), Consulting (9% compared to global average of 4%) and Transacting (11% compared to 8% country average). The level of Providing remained similar to the country average (10% compared to global average of 9%).

- Compared to other countries in the study, New Zealand has the 9th highest incidence of Transacting, 13th highest incidence of Providing, 4th highest incidence of Consulting, 9th highest incidence of Downloading and 8th highest incidence of Information Seeking.

- New Zealanders continue to have a higher perception of "safety" in providing personal information to Government over the Internet (35%) than the country average (25%). As was the case last year, the perception of "unsafe" is similar to the global average (59% compared to 58% average).