Survey for Individuals from Priority Groups

Take the Individuals from Priority Groups  Survey and help us understand your digital needs

Your input will shape our needs analysis to be presented during Techweek 2025, 19-25 May, identifying opportunities for new digital  inclusion initiatives

Click here to take our 10 minutes (approx.) long survey:
[ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUTnKrH4AMDBOQJ1LfG723SaR-DdpzqA_RfWZsMMWHXSCuLg/viewform ]

Community members learning digital skills in Whanganui

Purpose of the Survey

This survey is designed to collect insights from individuals within the nine priority demographic groups identified by Digital Inclusion Whanganui (DIW).

The data will complement the ongoing Needs Analysis, ensuring that the challenges and opportunities faced by diverse communities in Whanganui are well understood and addressed.

By focusing on Access, Skills, Motivation, and Safety, the survey will provide actionable data to guide tailored digital inclusion initiatives.

Key Areas of Investigation

  1. Access:
    • Evaluates whether individuals have consistent and affordable access to digital devices and reliable internet connectivity.
    • Explores barriers related to affordability, infrastructure, and device availability.
  2. Skills:
    • Assesses the digital literacy levels of individuals, including their ability to perform basic digital tasks such as communication, banking, and online navigation.
    • Identifies gaps in knowledge and preferred formats for digital training.
  3. Motivation:
    • Investigates the factors that inspire or discourage individuals from engaging with digital technologies.
    • Explores cultural, personal, and situational influences on technology adoption.
  4. Safety:
    • Examines how confident and secure individuals feel when using digital tools, including concerns about privacy, cybersecurity, and scams.
    • Identifies specific safety-related challenges faced by each group.

Criteria and Estimates for the Nine Priority Groups

(All estimates are based on Census 2023 data, extrapolated using relevant demographic breakdowns for Whanganui. See the explanation below for calculation methodology.)

  1. Low-Income Families (~6,500 individuals):
    • Defined as households earning less than $50,000–$55,000 annually (approximately 60% of the national median household income in New Zealand).
    • Estimates based on the proportion of households earning below this threshold in Whanganui.
    • Typically face affordability challenges related to devices and internet access.
  2. Seniors (~10,200 individuals):
    • Defined as individuals aged 65 and older, comprising approximately 20% of Whanganui’s population.
    • Often struggle with the pace of technological change and may lack foundational digital skills.
  3. People Living in Rural Areas (~8,000 individuals):
    • Based on the population residing outside urban Whanganui, drawn from Census rural population data.
    • Likely face internet connectivity issues due to infrastructure limitations.
  4. People with Disabilities (~5,000 individuals):
    • Defined using the Census-reported disability rate of approximately 13% of the population.
    • Barriers include inaccessible devices and a need for tailored resources.
  5. Māori and Pasifika Rangatahi (~3,500 individuals):
    • Defined as Māori and Pasifika youth (aged 15–24), reflecting approximately 10% of Whanganui’s population.
    • Cultural relevance and representation in digital content are critical motivators.
  6. Migrants and Refugees (~2,000 individuals):
    • Includes recent migrants and refugees, based on Census data and local migration patterns.
    • Challenges include language barriers and integration.
  7. People Living in Social Housing (~3,000 individuals):
    • Based on the proportion of households in state or community housing as reported in the Census.
    • Likely to experience limited connectivity and affordability issues.
  8. Offenders and Ex-Offenders (~1,500 individuals):
    • Estimated from local correctional facility populations and reintegration services data.
    • Challenges include minimal digital skills training and reintegration barriers.
  9. Job Seekers (~4,200 individuals):
    • Based on unemployment rates and people registered with employment services in Whanganui.
    • Require digital skills to access job listings and navigate online applications.

How Estimates Were Calculated

  • Data Sources: All estimates were derived from Census 2023 data and supplemented by figures from local government reports, regional studies, and national statistics where applicable.
  • Proportions: Percentages of relevant groups within Whanganui were applied to the total population to calculate specific group sizes. For example:
    • Seniors: 20% of Whanganui’s population (~51,000 total).
    • Māori and Pasifika Rangatahi: Māori and Pasifika youth account for ~10% of the population.
  • Extrapolation: For groups like offenders and ex-offenders, data from local correctional services and reintegration programs informed the estimate.
  • Cross-Validation: Estimates were cross-checked against publicly available regional reports to ensure alignment with known trends.

If asked, you can confidently explain that these estimates are grounded in a combination of robust national and local datasets, reflecting Whanganui’s unique demographic characteristics.

How the Survey Feeds the Needs Analysis

  1. Comprehensive Data Collection:
    • The survey will provide demographic-specific data on digital inclusion barriers and opportunities.
    • Results will highlight the unique challenges faced by each priority group, ensuring that all voices are heard.
  2. Actionable Insights:
    • Responses will guide the development of training programs, resource allocation, and advocacy efforts.
    • Findings will directly inform pilot initiatives targeting specific groups.
  3. Evidence-Based Planning:
    • The survey’s alignment with the key areas of investigation ensures that recommendations are data-driven and tailored to community needs.
    • Insights from the survey will shape the long-term strategy for digital inclusion in Whanganui.

Next Steps

  • Finalise the Survey Design: Ensure that questions are accessible and relevant to each priority group.
  • Distribute Widely: Use a combination of online platforms, in-person engagement, and partnerships with local organisations to reach all groups.
  • Analyse and Report: Integrate survey findings into the broader Needs Analysis to develop targeted digital inclusion initiatives.

**Survey Data Use and Storage**

The data collected from this survey will these purposes:

**Anonymised Analysis and Public Reporting** 
All survey responses will be anonymised and aggregated to produce key insights and results. These findings will be shared publicly to inform stakeholders about digital inclusion challenges, opportunities, and actionable initiatives in Whanganui. This process ensures the privacy of individual respondents while maximising the value of the data collected.

** Your responses are confidential **
We will treat all responses as anonymous for the Needs analysis survey,  unless you choose to provide your contact details for news of further developments.  

**Data Security and Retention Policy**

All survey data will be securely stored in compliance with applicable data protection regulations. Access to raw data, including identifiable information, will be restricted to authorised personnel only. The anonymised data will be stored indefinitely for analytical and reporting purposes, while the identifiable data will be retained only as long as necessary to maintain meaningful engagement with stakeholders.

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