New Zealanders top internet users in global survey

State Services Minister Trevor Mallard today welcomed the results of a comprehensive international survey that indicates New Zealanders are leading the world in their use of the Internet.

The GO2002 survey was carried out in 31 countries by global market research company Taylor Nelson Sofres. A thousand New Zealanders took part in the survey during October 2002.

Trevor Mallard says the survey indicates that New Zealanders are well positioned to make use of the Internet - in government, business and their domestic lives.

“A major finding of the study was that 71 percent of those surveyed in New Zealand had used the Internet in the previous month. This was the highest percentage in the 31 countries surveyed (which included Australia, Great Britain and the United States) and shows just how internet-savvy we are.” “High Internet use, in combination with education initiatives and accessible infrastructure, means it’s easier for the public to use government services on line as well.”

“The survey found that 40 percent of New Zealanders had used e-government services (such as accessing statistical information, tax information or registering a company online) in the previous 12 months. That compares to the global average of 30 percent. “

The Government's e-government strategy is designed to meet this growing demand for online services, and also to provide greater opportunities for people to participate in our democracy. As part of the strategy, Prime Minister Helen Clark and Trevor Mallard will launch the new government web portal on November 14 which will provide easy and fast online access to more than 3,500 government services and resources.

The New Zealand results of this study were commissioned by the State Services Commission’s E-government Unit and will help develop the e-government strategy.

The NZ results are available at http:// http://www.e-government.govt.nz/programme/go-survey-2002.asp The full global study is available at http:// http://www.tnsofres.com/gostudy2002

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