Uiuinga Aka Kōrero / Touchpoint survey
Touchpoint is N4L’s yearly survey, sent to nearly 3,400 principals and IT leads at schools connected to the N4L Managed Network. The survey helps N4L understand what schools think about us and our products and services. It enables us to listen to our customers and drive constant improvement within our organisation, resulting in better customer service and support for schools and kura.
We’re proud that, in 2025, 93% of principals said they were satisfied with us, 85% of principals feel informed, and 93% of principals trust us.
As part of the survey, Touchpoint also asks additional research questions to understand the wider context and provide unique insights into the thoughts and concerns of leaders at schools and kura across Aotearoa.
Insights from the survey are summarised in our annual Aka Kōrero – Hopuāhua | Touchpoint Snapshot.
Our latest survey looked at the thoughts and concerns of schools and kura across Aotearoa around two key themes, and below are the key findings:
Haumaru tuihono ngā kura
Online safety in schools
Online safety has increasingly become part of the national conversation. Keeping ākonga safer online is a shared responsibility, involving families, schools, government, online platforms and technology providers. We wanted to understand how confident schools are feeling about online safety and what tools they’re using, so we know how to better support them.
N4L’s Internet Safety & Security Services is the most widely adopted self-reported online safety tool, followed by educational platforms (e.g. Google Classroom), content management tools (e.g. YouTube Permissions) and classroom management/monitoring tools.
Schools’ biggest concerns include students outsmarting systems, online behaviour out of school, and emerging AI risks.
91%
of schools are confident or
very confident in their ability to
keep students safe online.
He whakamahi AI me āna whakaritenga ngā kura
AI readiness and usage in schools
55%
of schools say they’re confident and
ready to use AI tools, while 45% say they’re
not confident and not ready.
With the rapid rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, schools are navigating an exciting but sometimes overwhelming new chapter. Technologies are opening doors to creativity, personalised learning, and powerful support for teachers, but also challenging schools to consider responsible use of AI, balancing efficiency with critical thinking and guiding young people in their usage. This research helps N4L understand how schools are dealing with and preparing for the new world of AI, and what support they might need.
The most common AI tools being used are ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. Use of Microsoft Co-Pilot in secondary schools is significantly higher.
Schools are using AI for lesson planning, research and material generation, drafting school policies or correspondence, and data analysis.