The purpose of this survey (completed 29^th April 2020) was to understand the change in consumers broadband usage behaviour due to COVID-19 for a range of new reasons including work from home, video conferencing with friends and family, school learning, adult learning and entertainment.

The survey was conducted nationally across New Zealand for 1,011 respondents, all with a broadband connection, and with a representative survey sample across demographic and regional groupings.

As expected, respondents have increased their usage of most online applications

Contents

Key Takeaways

Background

Section 1: General demographics

Section 2: Broadband and internet usage

Section 3: Increased broadband usage

Section 4: Home Internet Setup

Section 5: Work from home

Section 6: Telehealth

Section 7: Online education

Section 8: Social Activities

Section 9: Online Shopping and Local Businesses

List of charts/tables

Figure 1. Where do you live?

Figure 2. Which of these best describes the type of area you live in?

Figure 3. What type of household or dwelling do you currently live in?

Figure 4. Do you live in an owner occupied or rented household?

Figure 5. Do you run your business from home?

Figure 6. Who is your broadband provider?

Figure 7. Which is the main way that your household connects to the internet?

Figure 8. What is the monthly data allowance on your primary household broadband connection?

Figure 9. With the increased time at home (across the family) due to COVID-19, do you think your current broadband service is adequate for your household needs?

Figure 10. What is the main reason you believe your current broadband connection may not be adequate?

Figure 11. Do you expect to (or did you) change your broadband provider or plan since the COVID-19 crisis started (from 1 March)?

Figure 12. Do you plan on cancelling your internet connection?

Figure 13. Since the COVID-19 crisis, have you encountered problems with your home setup, devices or Wi-Fi?

Figure 14. Since the COVID-19 crisis, have you encountered problems with your home setup, devices or Wi-Fi?

Figure 15. On a scale of 1 (not important) – 5 (very important), importance of broadband access and internet services

Figure 16. Since COVID-19 (from 1 March), tick all of the areas where you or your household members have improved the home internet setup

Figure 17. How many new devices (laptops, ipads, webcams, Wi-Fi extenders etc) has your household purchased during the COVID-19 crisis (from 1 March) to support your online activities such as education and working from home etc.

Figure 18. How much money do you estimate you have spent on your home internet setup and devices to support your household online activities since the COVID-19 crisis started (from 1 March)?

Figure 19. Prior to COVID-19 (before 1 March) were you in full time or part time employment?

Figure 20. Prior to COVID-19 (before 1 March) did you work from home?

Figure 21. After the COVID-19 crisis started (from 1 March), did you start working from home and/or increase your number of days working from home?

Figure 22. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Figure 23. Did you or your household members access online telehealth services (eg: online GP consultation or online prescriptions) from home?

Figure 24. After the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown period has ended do you anticipate using more online telehealth services in the future?

Figure 25. What were your reasons for previously not accessing telehealth services?

Figure 26. Did you or your household members access online education classes (eg: online school classrooms for students or online training programs for adults) from home?

Figure 27. After the COVID-19 lockdown period ends, do you anticipate using more online education classes in the future?

Figure 28. How often you or other household members used the following online social activities to connect?

Figure 29. After the COVID-19 lockdown period ends, do you anticipate using more of the above online social activities in the future?

Figure 30. Did you or your household members use online shopping?

Figure 31. After the COVID-19 lockdown period ends, do you anticipate using more online shopping in the future?

Figure 32. Since the COVID-19 crisis and associated lockdown, do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Figure 33. What do you think are the top things local small business can do to make it easier for people to support them?