New Zealanders are tuning in to audio like never before, and the latest Survey 1 2026 radio results prove it.
Across the country, audiences are turning to trusted audio brands for entertainment, connection, news, and music. For businesses, that presents a powerful opportunity as audio remains one of the most cost effective and scalable ways to reach engaged Kiwi consumers.
MediaWorks is now reaching more than 2.51 million New Zealanders every week, growing total audience by over 148,000 listeners. Among the highly valuable 25–54 demographic, MediaWorks now commands a 58.3% audience share, while Auckland alone delivers an incredible 859,317 weekly listeners.
For advertisers - from national brands through to small and medium-sized Kiwi businesses - those numbers matter.
Audio Works Because Kiwis Trust It
Radio and digital audio continue to hold a unique place in New Zealanders’ daily lives. Whether it’s during the morning commute, at work, in the car, at the gym, live or on-demand, audio reaches people in moments where screens often can’t.
Audio gets into memory faster, and stays there longer.
Today’s audio landscape goes far beyond traditional radio. Through our network of top radio stations including More FM, The Rock, The Breeze, Mai FM, George FM and The Edge, alongside chart-topping podcasts via rova Studios, advertisers can now connect with audiences across multiple touchpoints through one integrated audio ecosystem.
For SMEs especially, audio offers something increasingly rare in modern marketing: mass reach with local relevance.
A well-placed audio campaign can build familiarity, trust and recall quickly, particularly when delivered by personalities listeners already know and connect with.
Younger Audiences Haven’t Left Audio, They’re Leaning Into It
One of the biggest myths in media is that younger audiences no longer engage with radio. The latest results tell a very different story.
Listening among 18-39-year-olds is up 9.7%, with younger New Zealanders continuing to engage heavily with stations that stay connected to culture, music and entertainment.
The Edge remains the #1 station for 18-39s, driven by highly shareable content, strong social engagement and standout entertainment like Hit The Spot.
Mai FM continues its dominance with Auckland youth audiences, ranking as the #1 station for Auckland 18-39-year-olds, powered by hugely popular shows including Mai Morning Crew and Mai Home Run.
For brands targeting younger consumers, this reinforces a key point: audio remains highly relevant, highly social, and deeply embedded in Kiwi culture.
The Power of Passionate Audiences
Strong media brands are built on loyal communities, and few demonstrate that better than The Rock who have had their biggest listenership ever.
As the #1 station in New Zealand for 25–54s, The Rock continues to dominate through a uniquely Kiwi mix of humour, personality, and music culture. World-famous events like The Rock 2000 generated nearly 2 million audience votes and filled Spark Arena with thousands of passionate rock music fans.
That level of engagement matters for advertisers. Passionate audiences pay attention. They remember brands that support the content and personalities they love.
Podcasts Are Expanding the Opportunity
The growth of podcasting is also opening new doors for advertisers wanting deeper audience engagement.
Shows like Not For Radio, Editor In Chief, Kiwi Yarns, Let Her Finish and Martin Devlin’s DSPN are attracting loyal audiences through authentic, long-form storytelling and strong host relationships.
Podcast advertising offers brands the chance to connect in a more personal and trusted environment, often with highly engaged niche communities.
For SMEs, podcasts can be particularly effective because they allow businesses to target specific interests, regions or audience types entirely scalable, depending on budget.
Why This Matters for Kiwi Businesses
For many New Zealand businesses, advertising has become increasingly fragmented and expensive. Algorithms change, digital competition intensifies, and consumers are harder to reach consistently online.
Audio cuts through differently. It delivers broad reach, trusted environments, and emotional connection, all while fitting naturally into consumers’ daily routines.
Whether it’s a local retailer wanting to build awareness, a service business looking to drive enquiries, or a national brand launching a major campaign, audio provides scalable solutions that work across both traditional radio and digital streaming environments.
Most importantly, New Zealanders are tuning in to audio like never before.
*GfK COMMERCIAL RAM, S1/26, Total NZ, Cume (000s), AP10+, M-S 12mn-12mn, unless otherwise stated.