Kiwis love the internet

Scepticism of the internet has all but disappeared in New Zealand, as users now prefer the web to any other source of information, confidently buy and sell goods, and increasingly create real relationships from online connections.

A World internet Project study that highlighted the nation's use and attitudes to the internet found broadband was at saturation level and smartphone use skyrocketing.

The increased mobility of handheld internet and wireless connections meant the web was now an extension of New Zealanders' bodies, not limited to the office or study.

The paper showed 86 per cent of New Zealanders used the internet, up from 83 per cent in 2009 and 79 per cent in 2007.

Project director Professor Allan Bell, of the Auckland University of Technology, said the most significant finding was the shift of internet use to the lounge and kitchen. "It really embeds the use of the net within the daily life of the home ... 54 per cent say they're using it in their front room.

"That means they're doing a whole lot of things more frequently than they used to be. Over 15 per cent of people are doing online banking every day, we have 20 per cent of people checking facts online every day, 10 per cent of people looking up a word."

Of the 64 per cent of net users who used social sites, 96 per cent preferred Facebook.

The site has become such an ingrained part of lives that technology commentators suggested it could need more regulatory scrutiny on issues such as privacy and bullying.