When “number 8 wire” meets the digital world

Source: RNZ Morning Report Essentials for Friday 16 January 2026

A recent RNZ Morning Report segment highlighted a new report from global cybersecurity company Norton LifeLock, warning that online scammers are increasingly exploiting New Zealanders’ well-known “number 8 wire” mindset our tendency to be resourceful, trusting, and willing to fix things ourselves.

While this ingenuity has long been a strength, it can also create vulnerabilities in digital spaces, where quick fixes and self-reliance may open the door to scams and misinformation. The challenge is not to lose this mindset, but to adapt it combining practical skills with digital awareness and critical thinking.

For the repair movement, this is a timely reminder: empowering people to fix and extend the life of their belongings must go hand in hand with building confidence in navigating online tools safely. From sourcing parts to following tutorials, repair increasingly happens in connected spaces and resilience today means being both hands-on and digitally savvy.