New research: Rangatahi say digital connection is essential, but AI is making trust harder
Being connected to the internet is no longer optional for rangatahi, it is an essential part of everyday life, according to new research released by Te Rourou, the charitable foundation of One New Zealand. However cost, unreliable access and growing concerns about online safety and trust continue to create barriers.
Connected Rangatahi: Digital Inclusion in the Age of AI explores what digital inclusion looks like for young people today, drawing directly on the experiences and perspectives of rangatahi, predominantly aged 16–24. The research identifies six interconnected themes shaping digital inclusion in the AI age: cost, physical access, trust, safety, skills and empowerment.
RESILIENCE & TECHNOSTRESS Video
As more of daily life moves through a digital front door, banking, health, government, older people face real barriers, and a crisis sharpens them. This kōrero looks at what the evidence shows about those barriers, who does the work of keeping people connected, and what it would take to design services that include older people rather than leave them to cope. Facilitated by Bronwyn Scott, joined by Dianne Wepa and Melanie Stowell.
Children want to shape their rights in the digital world
Children represent approximately one-third of all internet users globally, according to UNICEF, with many routinely accessing digital platforms and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, from increasingly young ages.
Your rights in the digital world
In 2021, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child wrote a very important guide to explain to everyone that children’s rights apply in the digital world.
The World Internet Project in New Zealand (AUT)
This report presents the findings of the ninth iteration of the World Internet Project – New Zealand (WIP-NZ 2025), a nationally representative study that explores the evolving role of the internet and digital technologies in the lives of New Zealanders. The survey was conducted between March and May 2025 and collected responses from over 2,000 internet users. The report examines internet accessibility, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, attitudes towards digital technologies, and awareness of their broader societal and environmental implications.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health: Views of whānau & community
This survey was conducted in September 2025, with 19 participants from our lived experience CLEAR rōpū, members from the Consumer Group at HQSC, and a number of wider patients who generously offered their time to share their thoughts on AI in health. The survey shows whānau are open to the potential of AI in healthcare, but confidence and understanding lag behind adoption. Building trust will depend on transparent communication, culturally grounded education, and tangible examples of AI improving care without replacing human connection.
The missing link: Reclaiming connectivity through human rights
Despite decades of global efforts to bridge the digital divide, 32% of the world’s population remains offline, with the most marginalised communities disproportionately affected. While multilateral organisations and governments recognise internet connectivity as fundamental to human rights – particularly freedom of expression and access to information – their solutions persistently fail to match the scale and urgency of the challenge.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Vs Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Download this factsheet to help understand the difference between Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). RPA automates repetitive tasks like data entry, while AI supports tasks like summarising transcription notes. Together, they can ease workloads, improve care, and enhance system efficiency.
AI literacy for librarians in low-resource, multicultural communities
Emerging AI tools have seen use in recent years as a way to shortcut learning, potentially enabling students and teachers to customise lessons and overcome socio-economic and language barriers by providing on-demand access. Kara Kennedy offers a vision of what AI literacy looks like for librarians and their colleagues working in a low-resource educational environment servicing a high number of low-socioeconomic, multicultural customers.
Youth Digital Wellbeing - Research Report 2024
As students become increasingly active online, it is essential to help them navigate both the benefits and challenges of digital technology. According to the New Zealand Teens’ Digital Profile: A Factsheet (2018), nearly one-third of teens spend four or more hours online daily, while 38% report two to four hours. Although this data is six years old, feedback from New Zealand primary and intermediate students during discussions with the report's authors suggests that online engagement has likely risen significantly since then.