Holiday Inn Express has launched The Great Kiwi Wake-Up to find out why New Zealanders are exhausted, particularly in the morning.
Turns out Kiwis are exhausted, and it’s mornings that are feeling the pinch. The Great Kiwi Wake-Up, commissioned by Holiday Inn Express, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' essentials portfolio, found New Zealanders are a nation of restless sleepers, chronic snoozers and on-the-go breakfast skippers. The research forms part of a wider Asia Pacific survey spanning Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore, digging into how mornings really look across the region, from missed alarms to skipped meals and everything in between.
The research reveals that nine in ten New Zealanders struggle to fall or stay asleep in a typical week, and 91 percent regularly wake up too early. So it’s no surprise the snooze button is getting a workout: more than half (53 percent) of New Zealanders smack it before even getting out of bed. Leading the charge is Gen Z, who hit snooze a whopping 74 percent of the time, with nearly three in four hitting snooze repeatedly.
It’s not just what time Kiwis are waking up, it’s what happens next. 76 percent of Kiwis skip breakfast when travelling, and 22 percent say it’s because they don’t want to spend money. But when travellers commit to brekkie, they go big, with one in six (17 percent) Kiwi blokes hitting the buffet 3+ times every morning (no judgement) compared to 12 percent of women.
So what’s the solution to better mornings? According to one of Australia’s leading sleep and well-being experts, it all starts the night before.
Olivia Arezzolo is weighing in on the research, sharing simple strategies and expert tips to help Kiwis protect their sleep, reset their routines, and start the day feeling human again.
“These numbers don’t surprise me, we’re a nation of exhausted overachievers who aren’t giving ourselves the rest we need to function. When sleep suffers, so does everything else, from focus and memory to mood, energy and even appetite,” said Arezzolo.
“The good news? You don’t need a full life overhaul to feel better. A few small tweaks, like getting 20 minutes of sunlight within 30 minutes of waking, can help reset your body clock so you feel more energised during the day, and naturally wind down at night.”
“And if you’re struggling to stick to a routine while travelling, my advice is to pack a mini sleep kit, the classics like an eye mask and earplugs, plus a few unexpected hacks like a binder clip for blackout blinds or a mini warm-light lamp to ease into rest mode.”
But even with the best intentions, travel can throw even well-established routines off track, with 36 percent of Kiwis admitting they struggle to wake up on time when away and 38 percent snoozing more than usual when they’re not in their own bed.
In fact, 76 percent of Kiwis say they lose parts of their regular morning routine on the road. The most commonly dropped habits? Exercise (37 percent), checking emails or news (30 percent), and eating breakfast (29 percent). Whether it’s the shift in schedule or simply the joy of switching off, some rituals don’t always make it into our suitcases.
Dean Jones, Vice President of Commercial, East Asia & Pacific at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the findings highlight just how much New Zealanders are craving calmer, more consistent mornings, and how even small comforts can make a big difference when travelling.
“Simple, smart travel is in the brand’s DNA, and we’ve done a tremendous amount to provide our guests with the best experience and support during their stay, particularly with mornings in mind,” said Jones.
“We know from the research that most Kiwis are struggling with sleep, and 76 percent skip breakfast when they travel, often because they don’t want to spend extra. We’ve intentionally designed the Holiday Inn Express experience with the best of both worlds, with everything needed from a proper night’s sleep to a free hot breakfast. We want guests to maximise their stay with us, whether it’s for work or pleasure, or both, and the research has been a great way to help direct our attention to do more of what matters most.”
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