RADIO
& AUDIO
NZ
New Zealand listens to radio more than almost any other developed nation. Over 3.2 million Kiwis tune in every week, making radio one of the most cost-effective brand-building and activation channels available in this market.
3.2 million Kiwis
listen every week.
Radio in New Zealand is dominated by two major commercial radio groups. NZME operates the country's most listened-to network, including ZM, Newstalk ZB, The Hits, Hauraki, and Coast. MediaWorks operates More FM, Magic Talk, George FM, and The Edge.
Beyond traditional broadcast radio, New Zealand's audio landscape now includes digital radio platforms (DAX), Spotify advertising, podcast advertising, and streaming audio across platforms like iHeartRadio and ROVA, each with distinct audience profiles and targeting capabilities.
NZME Radio Networks
ZM, Newstalk ZB, The Hits, Hauraki, Coast, the widest reach network in New Zealand radio.
- Newstalk ZB (News/Talk, 35+)
- ZM (Contemporary Hit, 18–34)
- The Hits (Adult Contemporary)
- Hauraki (Classic Rock, Male)
- Coast (Easy Listening, 45+)
MediaWorks Stations
More FM, Magic Talk, George FM, The Edge, a portfolio covering youth, mainstream and talk radio in New Zealand.
- The Edge (Young, 15–29)
- More FM (Mainstream, 25–44)
- Magic Talk (News/Talk)
- George FM (Urban/Dance, Auckland)
Spotify NZ
Audio and video advertising on Spotify, targeting Kiwi listeners by age, gender, music genre, and listening context.
- Spotify Audio Ads NZ
- Spotify Video Takeovers
- Podcast Advertising
- Overlay & Display
Podcast Advertising NZ
New Zealand's podcast audience has grown dramatically. We plan host-read and programmatic podcast advertising across NZ's most-listened programmes.
- Host-Read Endorsements
- Pre/Mid-Roll Ads
- NZ Podcast Network
- IAB-Measured Campaigns
Radio Advertising in New Zealand: The Complete Guide for Brands
Radio remains one of the most powerful and underrated advertising channels available to New Zealand brands. Despite the rise of digital media, radio listenership in New Zealand has remained remarkably resilient, with GfK's quarterly Radio Survey consistently showing over 3 million weekly listeners across the country.
Why Radio Works in New Zealand
Radio works for New Zealand brands for several interconnected reasons. First, radio reach is genuinely complementary to television, research consistently shows that radio reaches significant audiences who are light TV viewers, meaning a radio campaign can extend the total reach of a media plan beyond what TV alone can achieve. Second, radio is a high-frequency medium: a well-planned radio schedule can achieve 10–15+ OTS (opportunities to see) among a target audience within a week, at a fraction of the cost of TV. Third, radio has proven activation effects, particularly for retail, automotive, and fast food categories, where proximity to the point of purchase (driving to a shopping centre, for example) aligns with high receptivity to advertising.
How Much Does Radio Advertising Cost in New Zealand?
Radio advertising costs in New Zealand vary based on station, market, daypart, and campaign duration. Drive-time spots (7–9am and 4–6pm) on major Auckland stations like ZM or Newstalk ZB typically cost NZD $200–$800 per 30-second spot. Off-peak spots can be purchased from NZD $60–$200. National radio campaigns across multiple stations and markets typically require NZD $20,000–$80,000+ for a meaningful four-week campaign, including production.
Radio Production in New Zealand
Radio advertising creative is a specialist discipline, what works visually on television or social media often fails as audio. Our in-house audio production capability covers script writing, voice casting, music licensing, and sound design specifically for New Zealand radio environments. We produce ads that sound like they belong in the station's content break, not like jarring intrusions, because Kiwi listeners can tune out commercial breaks with remarkable speed.
IS LISTENING.
Plan a radio or audio campaign that cuts through the noise.