Tararua District households have nearly doubled their use of broadband data in the last 18 months, with surging demand for streaming services such as Netflix, according to new statistics from Chorus.
The average Tararua home used 66GB of broadband data in June 2016 compared to 34GB in January 2015, a 96 per cent increase.
"The figures show that faster broadband is now, more than ever, an essential part of many New Zealanders' daily lives," says Rosalie Nelson, Chorus Head of Market Insight.
"More than half of New Zealanders now watch internet TV where the number of online film and TV platforms has exploded.
"But this isn't just about watching more and more content online, it's also about the rapid digitisation of our everyday lives. Broadband as the fourth utility sits at the heart of the home and plays a pivotal role in how we function in our day-to-day lives."