Who uses the Internet and Government Online?

- Three-quarters (75%) of New Zealanders have used the Internet in the past month - a significant increase from 71% in 2002. 45% of those living in the New Zealand have accessed a Government Online service over the last twelve months, a significant increase since the benchmark of 40% provided by the 2002 study. This is the highest Internet usage among all participating countries and well above the global average of 45%. Government Online use is also above the country average of 30%. However when looking at Internet users who use Government Online services, rather than total population, New Zealand falls below the global average of 61% with 55% of NZ Internet users having used Government Online services in the past twelve months.

- Incidence of Government Online continues to be strong with all ages up to 59 years. GO use plateaus among those age 20-49 years, where half or more of each age bracket have used a Government Online service in the past twelve months. Despite having the lowest proportion of users, usage has increased among those aged 60 or more. Use of Government Online services by females has grown significantly among females in the past year - from 35% in 2002 to 44% in 2003. Use by males has remained stable at 45%.

- Incidence continues to be higher in the cities of Auckland (49%) and Wellington (59%) than elsewhere, but significant growth has occurred outside of these metropolitan areas. In other areas of the North Island GO use has increased from 25% in 2002 to 33% in 2003 and in other areas of the South Island - from 25% in 2002 to 41% in 2003.

- Among ethnic groups in New Zealand Government Online use has been stable from 2002 to 2003 - Asians (52%), European/Caucasian (40%), Maori (39%). The exception has been among New Zealander/Pakeha where a significant increase in use has occurred - from 32% in 2002 to 47% in 2003. The sample size of Pacific Islanders is not large enough to allow for comparison. Pacific Islanders have been shown throughout this report only for illustrative purposes only and TNS cautions against further use of the data.

- The pattern of Government Online use increasing with income continues, however a significant increase did occur in use by those with a household income of less than $30,000 per annum - from 22% in 2002 to 33% in 2003.

- Similarly, usage continues to increase with education level to a high of 70% among New Zealanders with University or Post Graduate qualifications. Incidence among those with vocational/technical qualifications increased significantly from 40% in 2002 to 54% in 2003.

- Again, little difference in incidence of GO use was found between households with school-age children (47%) and those without (43%).