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Are tech advancements making Kiwis busier?
Wed, 1st May 2013
FYI, this story is more than a year old

Technology saves us six hours a week in time, yet New Zealanders are still feeling the pressure.

Despite Kiwis acknowledging advancements in technology has resulted in such a timesaving compared with a decade ago, three quarters of us still feel busy when it comes to managing our time.

That is according to the Visa payWave Currency of Time Survey, which says 77.5% of people feel busier, with 42.5% feeling significantly or overwhelmingly busier.

In a weird twist of irony, those who reported saving the most time from technology were more likely to be busier, indicating that despite completing tasks faster demands on our time are also increasing.

Professor Paul Spoonley of Massey University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences says it is not surprising that people feel busy even though technology saves time.

“Instant communication means that the old distinction between work and home or leisure does not operate any more," he says. "The boundaries are unclear.

"Technology saves time on many tasks but it also creates new tasks, and many feel that they need to check something online or to answer a text. It feels busy."

Does technology make you feel busier? Tell us your thoughts below