Internet subscribers in New Zealand - Data and Analysis (2006-2034)

IBISWorld forecasts the number of internet subscriptions to grow by 3.0% in 2026-27, to 2.41 million connections. The number of internet subscribers is rising because of several key factors. Firstly, the shift towards remote work and online education, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has broadened the need for reliable internet access across various population segments. According to the 2023 Census, around 17.7% of employed adults mostly worked from home, up from around 11.9% in 2018 and 8.5% in 2013. Furthermore, according to the StatsNZ Household Labour Force Survey, between June 2022 and 2025, the proportion of workers who work from home some of the week has remained roughly steady at around 34%, indicating that remote working arrangements have become ingrained within New Zealand's labour market.Expanding fibre optic broadband infrastructure as part of New Zealand's ongoing efforts makes high-speed internet more accessible and appealing to potential new subscribers. The Ultra-Fast Broadband program, completed in 2022, expanded fibre coverage to around 1.8 million homes in urban areas and the ongoing Rural Broadband Initiative has expanded broadband to more than 380,000 households. This is complemented by a competitive environment among internet service providers (ISPs), which can reduce prices and make internet access more affordable for a wider audience. Satellite connectivity has helped expand coverage throughout rural New Zealand, with services like Starlink providing fast, wide-ranging coverage without the need for fibre, copper or mobile-tower infrastructure. Starlink, for example, grew its customer base from 58,000 in June 2024 to 85,000 in June 2025, boosting its rural broadband share from 19% to 27% to become New Zealand's top rural broadband provider.A growing population is fuelling growth in the number of households and businesses, generating demand for internet services to meet the needs of new households and the digital requirements of new and expanding businesses. Businesses, in particular, have driven demand, as the rise of e-commerce has made online platforms and digital services an increasingly indispensable part of any business. For example, according to NZ Post's 2025 ecommerce report, online shopping accounted for almost a quarter of all retail spending in 2025, totalling more than $12.7 billion, a 10% rise on the previous year. Overall, IBISWorld forecasts that the total number of internet subscriptions will increase at a compound annual rate of 2.5% over the five years through 2026-27.