Google New Zealand Blog

Resources to help Kiwi businesses manage through uncertainty caused by COVID-19

Friday, April 3, 2020

g.co/smallbiz-covid19announcementsteps already takenKeep your customers informed

If your business or one of your locations has temporarily closed, mark the location as temporarily closed on Google Maps and Search.

If you have moved business operations to online, takeaway or delivery, edit your Business Profile on Google so customers know how to buy from you

Use Posts to tell customers on your Business Profile what is happening and if there are changes to how you are operating - for example, if you are now offering online sales or delivery or special offers.

If you have a shopfront which is closed but you’re still taking phone calls, update your business phone number to your mobile phone, so you can answer business calls remotely.

Set an email auto-reply to share your latest updates with customers - for example, if you are temporarily closed, or taking phone, online or delivery orders.

Continue to adapt to new customer behaviour

Ask what customers need from a business like yours right now - consider reaching out directly via your social media channels, or using tools like Google Trends and Google Alerts for insight into your local market or industry.

If you do not have a website for your business, start by getting a domain and exploring options for building a website. Your website can be simple – just make sure you include key information about your business and how potential customers can contact you.

Consider starting a free YouTube channel for your business. You can create videos to introduce your business, showcase what’s great about your products or services or teach customers how to do something new.

Run your business remotely

Help you and your team to effectively work from home with these tools and resources

Make a business continuity plan, and share it with employees via an email address they can access it outside of the office.

Collaborate with your co-workers using online tools and platforms - for example using a shared document, a quick conference call, or by creating an email list or a chat room.

Make sure you’re able to access important documents from anywhere by uploading them to the Cloud through tools like Google Drive or downloading to your mobile phone or computer for offline access.

If you’re using Chromebooks, ensure they have the right policies in place to access company resources from home and to keep devices and data secure.

Adjust your advertising (if necessary)

Edit your ads as needed to let customers know whether you're open for business and if you offer helpful services like expedited shipping.

Pause campaigns if your product availability is impacted by supply chain issues, increased demand, or other restrictions.

If your business relies on customers from countries most affected by the virus, consider prioritising your ad budget to other locations.

Posted by Caroline Rainsford, Country Director, Google New Zealand

How we’re supporting Research in Kiwi Universities

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

predatorsbreast cancer screeningdigital readiness coursesLaunch of exploreCSRexploreCSRGoogle Faculty Research AwardsGoogle Faculty Research Awards

Kelly Blincoe, from the University of Auckland. Kelly aims to investigate the impact of non-inclusive behaviour that happens during software code review. Her study will enable a better understanding of the impacts of a toxic code review culture, enabling better code review guidelines and tools and paving the way for future research on interventions.

research philosophyPosted by Marie Efstathiou, Program Manager, Computer Science Outreach and University Relations, Google Australia and New Zealand.

Helping Parents and Families this Safer Internet Day

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Be mindful of what and to whom you are sharing your information with. Encourage thoughtful sharing by treating online communication like face-to-face communication.

Don’t trust everything you see online. Be discerning and ‘think before you click’.

Safeguard your personal information & take a privacy check up.

Being kind online creates a brighter and safer place for everyone on the internet.

If you see something, say something. When in doubt, talk it out with someone you trust.

Posted by Caroline Rainsford, Country Manager Google New Zealand

Google Maps Turns 15! Celebrate with a new icon and features

Friday, February 7, 2020

A fresh look from the inside out

Explore: Looking for a place nearby to grab lunch, enjoy live music or play arcade games? In the Explore tab, you’ll find information, ratings, reviews and more for about 200 million places around the world, including local restaurants, nearby attractions and city landmarks.

Commute: Whether you’re traveling by car or public transit, the Commute tab is there to make sure you’re on the most efficient route. Set up your daily commute to get real-time traffic updates, travel times and suggestions for alternative routes.

Saved: People have saved more than 6.5 billion places on Google Maps—from the new bakery across town to the famous restaurant on your upcoming vacation. Now you can view all of these spots in one convenient place as well as find and organize plans for an upcoming trip and share recommendations based on places you've been.

Contribute: Hundreds of millions of people each year contribute information that helps keep Google Maps up to date. With the new Contribute tab, you can easily share local knowledge, such as details about roads and addresses, missing places, business reviews and photos. Each contribution goes a long way in helping others learn about new places and decide what to do.

Updates: The new Updates tab provides you with a feed of trending, must-see spots from local experts and publishers, like The Infatuation. In addition to discovering, saving and sharing recommendations with your network, you can also directly chat with businesses to get questions answered.

Our five new tabs provide easier access to everything you need in Google Maps.

Look out for our new icon on your phone and browser!
Made for you, on the gointroduced

New trip attributes help you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
A sense of directionintroduced

Live View will soon help you get oriented in the right direction in new ways.

New Zealand native birds inspire today’s Doodle

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Posted by Caroline Rainsford, Country Manager, Google New Zealand

Data Privacy Day: Six ways we protect your privacy

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

1. Keep your passwords safePassword ManagerPassword Checkup2. Let Google automatically delete your dataLocation HistoryWeb & App ActivityYouTube HistoryGoogle Account3. Use your favourite Google apps in Incognito modeIncognito mode
4. Browse the web safely with ChromeSafe Browsing in Chrome5. Check in on your privacy settings across your apps and devicesPrivacy CheckupSecurity Checkup6. Control what ads you see from GoogleWe do not sell your personal informationWhy this adMute this adAd SettingsPost content Posted by Rahul Roy-Chowdhury, Vice President of Product, Privacy

YouTube’s Ongoing Commitment to the Christchurch Call: Wellington Incident Response Workshop

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Christchurch CallGIFCTrefine and strengthen the collective response

announcement

We worked in a multi-stakeholder format and developed stronger partnerships across companies, governments, civil society and NGOs.

We stress tested the Christchurch Call Shared Crisis Response Protocol - alongside other relevant protocols, against evolving risks and scenarios.

We gathered critical feedback from those present, in order to inform the future agenda of the GIFCT’s crisis response working group.

Posted by Ross Young, Google New Zealand Government Affairs and Public Policy.

Year in Search 2019: Here’s what Kiwis searched for this year

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

As Kiwis we grinned, grew and grieved through Search this year, so as 2020 draws near, it’s time to reflect on the moments, people and existential questions that piqued our interest in 2019.
A Helpful SearchA Country of Two HalvesMillennial MomentsLocal EventsA Changing World

Rugby World Cup

New Zealand vs England

Cricket World Cup

Christchurch Shooting

Stuff News NZ

Spark Sport

Australia vs Pakistan

Australia Open 2019

Disney Plus

Grace Millane

Israel Adesanya

William Waiirua

Ryan Fox

Lorde

Kane Williamson

Anna Wilcox

Sarah Dowie

Robert Whittaker

Sonny Bill Williams

Scott McLaughlin

Grace Millane

Cameron Boyce

Pua Magasiva

Manning Smith

Luke Perry

Jeffrey Epstein

Karl Lagerfeld

Keith Flint

Etika

Jessi Combs

James Charles

Billie Eilish

Prince Andrew

Nipsey Hussle

Greta Thunberg

Jordyn Woods

Israel Folau

R Kelly

Pewdiepie

Marie Kondo

Christchurch Shooting

Nelson Fire

The fall of the Berlin wall

London Bridge attack

Measles

Auckland Fire

Notre Dame

Sri Lanka

Ihumatao

Cyclone Oma

What is area 51?

What is black Friday all about?

What is a mosque?

What is lupus?

What is a boomer?

What is momo?

What is minimum wage in NZ?

What is easter?

What is the time in India?

What is ramadan?

How to watch the Rugby World Cup

How to watch Game of Thrones NZ

How to wear a hijab

How to solve a rubix cube

How to write a cover letter

How to cook quinoa

How to get rid of fleas

How to make french toast

How to take a screenshot

How to make cheese sauce

Spaghetti bolognese recipe

Guacamole recipe

Hot cross buns recipe

Apple crumble recipe

Pikelet recipe

Playdough recipe

Pancake recipe easy

Fried rice recipe

Lasagne recipe

Pumpkin soup recipe

Plant based diet

Fodmap diet

Keto diet plan

Diet doctor

Mediterranean diet

What is keto diet

Dubrow diet

Low carb diet

Vegan diet

Atkins diet

* Trending Searches: What was hot in 2019? The "trending" queries are the searches that had the highest spike in traffic over a sustained period in 2019 as compared to 2018.Posted by Carrie Jones, Communications Manager, Google New Zealand

Kiwi’s Top Trending YouTube Videos Revealed for 2019

Friday, December 6, 2019

It's time to hit #YouTubeRewind and check out the top trending videos for 2019.Bad Guyhow to create the videoJames CharlesShane DawsonGordon RamsayKarenKatelyn OhashiMake this video the most liked video on YouTubeBillie EilishCamila CabeloAriana GrandeOld Town Road
New Zealand’s Top Trending Videos
No More LiesKatelyn Ohashi - 10.0 Floor (1-12-19)Gordon Ramsay Savagely Critiques Spicy Wings | Hot OnesConspiracy Theories with Shane DawsonMake This Video The Most Liked Video On Youtube73 Questions With Kim Kardashian West (ft. Kanye West) | Voguehow to create billie eilish's "bad guy"New Zealand Today - Karen wants her $20 back.Minecraft Part 1Gangsters in Paradise - The Deportees of TongaNew Zealand’s Top Trending Music VideosSam Smith, Normani - Dancing With A StrangerBillie Eilish - bad guyShawn Mendes, Camila Cabella - SeñoritaLil Nas X - Old Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray CyrusAriana Grande - 7 ringsKhalid - Talk (Official Video)Lil Dicky - Earth (Official Music Video)Khalid, Kane Brown - Saturday Nights REMIX (Official Video)Cardi B & Bruno Mars - Please Me (Official Video)Ariana Grande - break up with your girlfriend, i'm boredRewind mashupRewind site Posted by Carrie Jones, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Google New Zealand

Helping Kiwi Teachers Learn Digital Skills through the Manaiakalani Education Trust

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

began workDigital Fluency Intensive(1)(2)

Posted by Ross Young, Google New Zealand Government Relations and Public Affairs.
(1) Research New Zealand (2017)(2) Education at a Glance. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/education-at-a-glance-2017_eag-2017-en

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