Welcome to Issue 1
Kia ora
As we write this, it’s a year on from the first case of COVID-19 in New Zealand, and changes in lockdown levels continue to challenge all of us. Many businesses have found ways to work out-of-office, and here at Research New Zealand we are already full-tilt into an exciting programme of social research, lined up for 2021.
We’d like to share some of those insights with you, so we are pleased to introduce our new monthly newsletter Research NewZ. It will focus on one or two topical issues, as well as including the regular poll results and reports that were previously sent individually.
Ngā mihi,
The Research New Zealand team
Contents
How healthy are we? A Special Report
In November 2020 the Ministry of Health published the results of their annual New Zealand Health Survey, tracking health outcomes for New Zealanders over a number of key health indicators. Research New Zealand took a closer look at the results and compared them with some of its own data.
Why a Living Wage?
Data at your fingertips...
Is Your Data Secure?
Data security is high on Research New Zealand’s priorities; therefore, we ensure we’re not only New Zealand Information Security Manual compliant, but also as part of our data security measures, regularly undergo Vulnerability and Penetration (Pen) Testing. Fomai Savea, IT & Data Security manager, explains: Pen testing is an authorised simulated attack on a computer system/network to evaluate its security. Over a period of three days, a number of testers attempt to pass through our security barriers using the latest intrusion techniques. Pen testing allows us to identify any possible software flaws and/or security vulnerabilities, and then remediate them. As technologies are constantly changing, keeping our network and applications secure is an on-going task, but one we take very seriously, especially when it comes to the security of our data and that of our clients.
What did our male staff come up with when asked to challenge the stereotypes for International Women’s Day? Cheesecake, dumplings, chocolate cake, shortbread and truffles! And edible too. The men’s Women’s Day baking challenge became a morning tea shout in the office the next day, tested by Sarah, Jane, Katrina and Noeline (L-R above) and Corrine and Jill (left)
with your questions and ideas about research.
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International Women’s Day
What does a model of galactic evolution, meat-substitute Chicken Free Chicken, and a hand-held resuscitator have in common? Click on the image below to play a short video to find out...
Vaccination intentions
With selective vaccination underway in New Zealand, we began our 2021 polling with the big questions... Who is willing to get a vaccination? Who isn’t? And what are their reasons for and against? Amongst our key findings we discovered that Aucklanders were working harder to stay safe than the rest of the country, only two thirds of New Zealanders were using a tracking app, and fewer still, used face masks on public transport.
At Research New Zealand we believe in the importance of walking-the-talk when it comes to being a ‘good employer’. Aside from complying with the practical requirements of the Employment Act 2000 and other relevant legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, this also means we treat everyone in our company in a way that allows them to reach their full potential in a supportive environment. This means we develop their skills, we give them flexible working arrangements, help them manage their work commitments and the stress that this sometimes creates.
As a social research company, our call centre and the staff that work there, are a vital part of our company. It is particularly important for our public sector clients using our call centre service, that we interview their customers in a way that is professionally, ethically and culturally appropriate. Our call centre manager, Jill Rudings, has put a lot of focus on developing her staff so that they meet this goal through a training programme, a rewards system and a positive working environment. We see the benefits of Jill’s work on a daily basis and we believe in the importance of giving due recognition where it is deserved. Consequently, as from the beginning of this year, our interviewers have been paid the living wage rate - well ahead of the government’s due date. Understandably, the response from our interviewers has been a big thumbs up! Emanuel Kalafatelis
Overall, younger people were more likely to say that it was important for New Zealand to take action to limit climate change, at 83% of 18-34 year olds. However it is the older 55+ age group who were significantly more likely to actually be doing many of the recommended lifestyle choices that assist, even if in a small way, to limiting climate change. This includes recycling, putting their washing on the line instead of using energy-hungry dryers, eating at their local cafe, and digging up the lawn and replacing it with a veggie garden.
In this issue we report on what percentage of New Zealanders are likely to be lining up for a COVID-19 vaccination jab. And if not, why not? Research New Zealand Partner Emanuel Kalafatelis says that ‘Even though the majority of New Zealanders appear willing to get the vaccine at 70%, this is probably not enough to develop herd immunity and protect our communities’. He also notes that less than two-thirds of women were prepared to be vaccinated, compared to three-quarters of men, which indicates that ‘the public require more information and clear communication about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine’.
608 COMPLETES
Data security is a pre-eminent concern at Research New Zealand and IT & Data Security Manager Fomai Savea reports on recent internet PEN (penetration) testing. Research Director Katrina Magill also introduces our Real-Time Tracking services and its benefits to our clients.
Emanuel Kalafatelis describes how Research New Zealand has been ‘walking-the-talk’ as a good employer. ‘As a company involved in social research we are keenly aware of ethical, cultural considerations. And since the beginning of the year our call centre staff have been paid the living wage, well ahead of the government’s due date.’