We are loving local in 2021

If there was one thing 2020 provided, it was the opportunity to do things differently. Whether it was baking our own bread, Zoom catch ups with friends and family or working in our pyjamas, we all got to try something new.

When we asked you which of these new habits you planned to continue in 2021, it seems you all want to keep spreading the love locally.

Supporting local businesses will be a focus this year for 71 per cent of the people who took part in our Kiwi Welfare Check survey. Small businesses all over New Zealand will be doing a happy dance when they see that statistic.

Forty per cent of those surveyed said they plan to holiday in New Zealand this year and 44 per cent want to keep enjoying the walks and beaches in their local area.

The local theme continued when we asked you what you are worried about when you look to the year ahead – more than half of you listed the state of the New Zealand economy as one of your top concerns.

Some of you are focused on staying very local – more than a quarter (27 per cent) of our survey respondents said they want to work from home at least some of the time this year and 27 per cent of you want to continue eating at home more and doing more home baking.

Loving our neighbours is a priority for 26 per cent of survey respondents who said they planned to stay in touch with neighbours or people in their community who need support.

But you are also planning to stay in touch with friends and family far and wide with a quarter of you indicating you would continue to use digital platforms for that purpose.

One family shared that they have enjoyed growing veges in their garden so much that they will be planting new crops this year, while another one of our supporters revealed they plan to keep enjoying the little things in life as they learned last year that “nothing is certain.”

Thanks for taking part in our survey – next up we will share the things you are worried about as we kick off a new year.