Media Releases

Live radio ratings increase a springboard for RNZ’s plans for audio

Released at 11:58 am on 26 August 2025

RNZ's latest radio ratings show a small but promising increase in RNZ National’s audience.

Results in live radio, measured through the GfK Commercial Radio Survey, show RNZ’s combined share (RNZ National and RNZ Concert) for Survey 2 2025 at 11.3% compared to 10.6% from the last survey.

RNZ National’s audience 10+ is 475,800 in a typical week (467,700 in the last survey). RNZ Concert’s audience 10+ is 170,400 in a typical week (162,300, in the last survey).  The combined RNZ Audience is 575,500, an increase of 18,500 from the last survey.   

RNZ Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief Paul Thompson said the results were the first increase in audience for RNZ National since 2022 and were a welcome sign as the organisation gets to work on its new audio plan.

“Overall RNZ is in good shape. We adopted a strategy of reaching audiences where they are by introducing new platforms, content and sharing with partners and that has worked. We now reach 79% of all New Zealanders aged 18+.

“While we have seen growth on digital and social platforms and via our partnerships, we now want to reinvigorate our radio audience. Radio really matters, not just for the rich audio content it delivers but as an audience in its own right. It’s how we started 100 years ago, and we have not forgotten the importance of radio to connect New Zealanders as RNZ delivers on its Charter to inform, entertain and enlighten.”

The RNZ audio plan sets out the actions that will bring a new focus to radio, these include:

-  Appointing a Chief Audio Officer. This member of the executive will oversee the performance and excellence across live radio, digital and on-demand audio platforms, bringing a truly unified approach to audio content.

- Targeting the available audience (broadly 50-69 but work on this is ongoing). RNZ’s success online means it has multiple ways to deliver on its Charter responsibility and reach different audiences. Radio no longer has to be all things to all people and RNZ will be focusing on the core and potential audiences for different programmes. Setting clear targets will result in adjustments to content, tone and presentation. Recent updates to Morning Report are the first signs of changes flowing through to the audience but there will be more to come.

- More training for on-air staff and programming staff as we lean into our strength in audio storytelling and the authenticity this gives us as a public media organisation. This will mean that standards will lift, and more support will be given to those working in on-air roles.

- A greater focus on Auckland to reflect the importance of the region and its population for a public media organisation. This also allows us to make the most of our new office space in Auckland.

RNZ’s audio plan sets clear targets to stabilise and then grow the audience, aiming for reaching an audience of 500,000 by November 2026 and 520,000 by November 2027 as well as increasing the percentage of New Zealanders that agree that RNZ provides a valuable service (to 65% by November 2026).

Thompson said these goals are ambitious but achievable.

“Today’s results show that growth is possible. It’s early days for our audio plan, with only initial changes starting to flow through to our audience, but I’m confident that the skilled team at RNZ are up for the challenge.”

 

Further Gfk radio survey results***
RNZ NATIONAL 

*** Source: GfK Radio Audience Measurements, All Radio Stations, Total New Zealand - RNZ - Survey 2/2025, All 10+, Mon-Sun 12mn-12mn, Cume and Share %. Survey 2 2025 is conducted between 12 May and 3 August 2025.  https://www.rba.co.nz/surveys-research 
 
Please note: RNZ normally releases GFK ratings information alongside its Value Indices Survey. This survey has been delayed due to a desire to collect further data to help inform the work on the audio plan. Our key Value Indices findings will be released in September.