Data, insights and consulting company Kantar has conducted a survey into Kiwis’ changing consumer behaviour in relation to the Covid-19 virus pandemic.
A key trend emerging from this survey shows that three-quarters of Kiwis now believe that it will take a long time for the economy to recover.
There are some positive signs that the lockdown is working with the Director General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, saying we can be encouraged by the lack of dramatic increase in case numbers. New Zealanders still have a number of major concerns, however, particularly surrounding job security and the increasing likelihood of a recession.
Three-quarters of New Zealanders believe it will take a long time for the economy to recover once the coronavirus has died down. A similar number also believe that this is going to lead to an economic recession.
The Kantar survey pointed out Kiwis’ dislike of rule breakers. The vast majority of Kiwis support the lockdown and think it is a fair measure to take against Covid-19. However, there have been media reports of some not playing by the rules resulting in mixed opinions of other people’s behaviour, only 38 percent agree that the behaviour of others during the lockdown has been good.
Around the world there have been articles and reports on contact tracing using personal data. The Director General of Health announced that was being considered for New Zealand. The survey revealed that only half of Kiwis would be comfortable sharing their personal data for contact tracing, even if it meant a nation-wide lockdown could be avoided.
New Zealanders are looking to connect with each other to help manage their mental health. So it’s not surprising to see nearly half of Kiwis using more instant messaging systems and social networks since the lockdown. Understandably, there has also been a rise in New Zealanders sourcing information (e.g. through news websites) and online entertainment.
Kantar will be conducting this survey every weekend to understand consumer behaviour in relation to the evolving COVID-19 situation. The study is based on an online survey of 750 New Zealanders aged 18+.
