Step into the internet like never before — and discover how far we’ve come. From dial-up to today’s data-heavy use, the Chorus’ Internet Café of Now is a high-speed trip through Aotearoa’s digital glow-up.
Open for three days only (Friday 23 – Sunday 25 May), the Chorus’ pop-up celebrates the Big Fibre Boost, which will increase speeds for nearly TWO MILLION Kiwis! It’s part of future-proofing Aotearoa’s digital infrastructure as our ever-growing need for speed continues.
Today Kiwis stream, scroll, upload, and game more than ever before, and it’s only accelerating.
Our internet consumption has increased dramatically since the 90s, when web use was limited to basic browsing and emails.
Kiwi household data use has skyrocketed over the last decade, growing 13-fold from approximately 50GB on average per month to around 650GB today. Households now juggle an average of 25 connected devices with activities ranging from video calls, real-time gaming, AI tools, working from home, and 4K streaming — often all at once.
By 2029, Chorus forecast that the average Kiwi household will be using close to one terabyte of data per month — a huge leap from a decade ago, reflecting how central the internet has become to our lives.
“The way Kiwi use the internet continues to rapidly evolve, as does growth in how much data we use, across more connected devices.”
At Chorus we’re committed to future-proofing fibre and ensuring the network we’ve built keeps pace with demand,” says Dan Kelly Chorus Exec GM for Access.
“The Chorus Big Fibre Boost is a great opportunity to reflect on our digital journey, from the early days of dial-up to a fibre-powered future. This space offers a playful, hands-on way to celebrate the cultural moments that shaped our digital lives and the growing need for reliable broadband. Fast, dependable internet is truly essential, and fibre is the foundation of our digital future here in Aotearoa.”
Through a series of interactive experiences, the immersive pop-up showcases how the internet has transformed the way we connect, create, communicate, and work — and why fast, reliable fibre is more essential than ever.
Visitors can expect to be a part of live podcast recordings with Bri Barrett (Her Hustle), content creator masterclasses with modern dining expert Nic Chan (@chancaneat), and a chance to take on legendary online gamer E-Black, Josh King (JMK King). Whether you scroll, stream, game, work — or just love a good (free) coffee — this is a first-of-its-kind internet café for everyone.
Complementing the live line-up is a series of interactive installations designed to bring New Zealand’s digital evolution to life.
Highlights include a retro-style webcam photo booth, a mini-cinema showcasing the rise of online video, and a sound booth celebrating Kiwi artists who found fame through the internet. Visitors can also revisit classic online games, personalise a take-home tote bag at an emoji heat press station, and explore the best of internet culture.
What’s on Live Sessions:
SATURDAY 24 MAY
| 11.00am – 12.15pm | Live podcast recording with Bri Barrett of Her Hustle in the content creator’s lounge |
| 2.30pm – 3.30pm | Influencer masterclass with modern dining expert Nicola Chan of @chancaneat |
SUNDAY 25 MAY
| 11.00am – 12.15pm | Content Creator masterclass and Q&A with influencer Torrell Tafa |
| 12.30pm – 2.00pm | Challenge the E-Black JMK King to a game of FIFA in the gaming booth |
| 2.30pm – 3.30pm | Influencer masterclass with modern dining expert Nicola Chan of @chancaneat |
| 4.00 – 6.00pm | Challenge the E-Black JMK King to a game of FIFA in the gaming booth |
