New Zealanders spending more time online than ever

A recent study conducted by InternetNZ has revealed that New Zealanders are spending more time online than ever before, with half of respondents reporting they spend four or more hours of their leisure time online each day.

Vivien Maidaborn, Chief Executive of InternetNZ, said several factors contribute to this trend, including the convenience of mobile apps and the accessibility of online content.

"The appeal of apps, streaming services, and the accessibility of news and online tools have contributed to an unprecedented level of connectivity in 2025," Maidaborn said. "These statistics may prompt people in Aotearoa to evaluate their online/offline balance, but many will see the amount of time they spend online as normal."

According to the study, those aged 18-29 were the most active online, with 67% spending four or more hours a day on the internet for personal use. This was followed by 53% of people aged 30-39 spending a similar amount of time online. The most common activities included social media, email, streaming TV shows, and reading news online.

Maidaborn noted the importance of ensuring online content is safe and accurate.

"The amount of time we're spending online highlights the need to ensure that information we're consuming is safe, fair, and accurate. Governments and civil society need to keep holding the gatekeepers to account and demanding change when it's needed," she said.

The study also highlighted differences in online behaviour between genders. Women were found to spend more time on social media and messaging platforms than men. Women dedicated 52% of their online time to social media and 32% to messaging, compared to 41% and 16% respectively for men.

The research also explored key concerns about online safety and content. Concerns about children accessing harmful content online, misinformation, and scams were among the most prominent issues highlighted.

Maidaborn said the results demonstrate how deeply the internet is integrated into everyday life.

"The internet has transformed from a rarity to an everyday essential in the past 25 years," she said. "As it continues to grow, understanding how New Zealanders use it is crucial to addressing the challenges."