MEDIA RELEASE - A survey commissioned by Vodafone Group has revealed New Zealanders believe technological innovation will have the most positive influence on the future over the next 20 years.

Almost a fifth of those surveyed by YouGov* put technological innovation at the top of the list. This was followed by changes to societal culture - including greater diversity and greater equality - at 18%, and climate change initiatives at 11%.

The survey, which took place in 14 countries, shows that New Zealanders are more optimistic about the future than those living Australia or the UK, although India was by far the most optimistic, with 78% of respondents saying they believe the standard of living there would be better in 20 years’ time.

The survey comes as Vodafone announces a significant evolution of its brand strategy. The new brand is designed to underline Vodafone’s confidence that new technologies and digital services will play a positive role transforming society and enhancing individual quality of life over the years ahead.

Vodafone New Zealand Consumer Director Matt Williams said the way that technology helps us connect is evolving rapidly.

“There are very good reasons to be optimistic about the future with emerging innovations in science and technology already having a profoundly positive impact on society.

“Vodafone has a proud history of bringing new technologies to hundreds of millions of people worldwide and we think the future of technology is very exciting. Our focus now is to ensure our customers are ready to make the most of it,” Matt said.

Vodafone’s new brand strategy will coincide with the largest global advertising campaign in Vodafone’s 33-year history. The lead TV commercial in New Zealand, Hello, will appear across television and other digital media from Friday 6 October.

“Our new brand positioning is intended to embody Vodafone's mission and purpose to help our customers and communities adapt and prosper as these remarkable new trends reshape the world,” Matt said.

Vodafone also commissioned the Futerra consultancy to identify 10 of the top emerging trends that could transform home and working life. Technological developments identified by leading futurologists from five countries included:

• 3D printed components for housing construction, with 4D printed components that evolve over time as families' accommodation requirements change;
• a five-fold increase in global power generation capacity as clean energy such as solar panels are extended from rooftops to windows, walls and even some highways;
• personalised medical interventions such as 3D bio-printing of organs and limbs;
• new public transportation systems connecting cities with trains running at up to 600mph (966kph);
• large-scale water capture projects, including precipitation harvesting, groundwater replenishment and improved desalination, transforming the lives of 1.2 billion people in water-constrained areas; and
• a tripling of connected sensor usage in farming leading to increased food yields coupled with the development of new protein sources that increasingly displace meat.