What interactive online services have citizens used

Question: "In your general use of the internet which of the following have you ever done while online?"

- The most common interactive online service New Zealanders had experienced before was online banking (41%). 29% had signed up for or received automated news services, 26% had paid bills online, 21% had shopped online, and 20% had participated in discussion groups or chat rooms. Comments featured in "other" included email (13%) and research/surfing/browsing (12%). 22% said they had never used the Internet.

- Overall, previous use of interactive online services is more prevalent among those aged 20-49 years than other age groups. Half or more of those in these age brackets had used online banking, and approximately one-third had shopped online. Those aged under 30 were significantly more likely to have participated in discussion groups or chat rooms. New Zealanders aged 60 and over were more likely to have never used the Internet.

- Residents of Wellington and those with higher household incomes and a university education also are more likely to have used the services previously.

- There were no significant differences between genders.

- New Zealanders who are Government Online users are significantly more likely to have used all services than non-users - online banking 65%, automated news 49%, paying bills 42%, shopping 35% and participation in discussion groups or chat rooms 26%.

- Among GO users, Transactors were significantly more likely to have used online banking (88%) and to have shopped online (79%) than others. Consulters are significantly more likely to have signed up or received automated news services (70%) and to have participated in discussion groups or chat rooms (37%) than others.