New Zealand backs home sharing

The overwhelming majority of New Zealanders support home sharing and fair, progressive policies, according to new research from YouGov Research.

YouGov Research conducted an independent study in December 2017 of 1,015 New Zealanders aged 18 years and older. The research found 66% of New Zealanders support allowing people to home share, 78% believe government should consider encouraging home sharing to help the tourism industry, 54% are likely to use Airbnb in the future when they travel and 31% are likely to use Airbnb to share their own home in the future.

Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy Australia and New Zealand Brent Thomas said the results reveal a significant shift in the way New Zealanders travel and use their homes.

“New Zealanders are voting with their feet and embracing a more inclusive, healthier kind of travel that benefits everyone, not just the lucky few or the big end of town,” Mr Thomas said.

“Furthermore, people recognise home sharing is strengthening their local community and growing the economy.

“It doesn’t matter what political party they support, where they live or how old people are, voters back Airbnb and home sharing by hosts. They don’t want more red tape in their lives or to have their rights infringed. We look forward to continuing to work with Government and local councils on developing fair, progressive rules for home sharing that reflect what the majority of Kiwis want.”

Other key results from the research include:

• Home sharing is supported across the political divide, with 69% of NZ Labor, 70%  National, 75% Green and 69% First supporting allowing people to share their home through Airbnb.
• Home sharing is supported across all demographics, with 72% of Millennials (18-34), 63% of Gen X (35-49), 60% of Baby Boomers (50-64) and 68% of over-65’s supporting allowing people to share their home through Airbnb.
• 63% of New Zealanders would be concerned if there was a cap on the number of nights that they could share their home for short term rent.
• 49% of New Zealanders would be concerned if they had to get a licence or register before home sharing, including 57% of Millennials.
• 22% of New Zealanders are more likely to support elected member who strongly supports home sharing.