Audio Leads Media Consumption in New Zealand: New data from The Infinite Dial® New Zealand 2025
The Infinite Dial New Zealand 2025 from Edison Research with sponsorship from The Radio Bureau, Mediaworks, New Zealand Media and Entertainment, and the Radio Broadcasters Association was presented as part of the Audio Summit 2025.
Among many findings, the study shows that 94% of those in New Zealand ages 16+ consume audio each week, more than those reached by video (92%) or social media (73%).
The Infinite Dial New Zealand report mirrors The Infinite Dial U.S., which is the longest-running survey of digital media consumer behavior in America. The study covers a wide range of online digital media topics and has been conducted in six countries. This recent study allows for direct comparisons between New Zealand, U.S., and Australia, and this is the third time the study has been completed in New Zealand.
Some of the key findings among New Zealanders ages 16+ include:
- 68% listened to radio in the last week, more than the U.S.
- 76% listened to streamed audio content in the last month
- 55% listened to or watched a podcast in the last month
Other findings include:
- AM/FM Radio remains strong in the car, dominating the in-car listening environment: 72% of those 16+ who have driven/ridden in the car last month use the medium in car
- Most New Zealanders ages 16-34 consume online audio formats: in the last month, 90% listened to streamed audio content and 71% consumed a podcast
Larry Rosin, Edison Research President, says: “We are so pleased to see the third iteration of The Infinite Dial New Zealand. It is clear that audio is a powerhouse when it comes to reaching consumers, and radio remains resilient, fueled by in-car consumption and catch-up radio podcasts.”
Alistair Jamison, CEO of The Radio Bureau New Zealand, says: “It is fantastic to share our third iteration of Infinite Dial with the NZ market. It provides fantastic insight into the NZ audio market and demonstrates the massive opportunity for advertisers who are planning holistically across radio and digital audio.”
Click here to download or view The Infinite Dial New Zealand 2025
How the study was conducted
A national survey of 1,007 New Zealanders ages 16+ was conducted by Edison Research in the first quarter of 2025: 712 interviews online and 295 interviews via telephone. The data was weighted to national 16+ population figures. The study was sponsored by The Radio Bureau, Mediaworks, New Zealand Media and Entertainment, and the Radio Broadcasters Association
About Edison Research
Edison Research conducts survey research and provides strategic information to a broad array of clients worldwide, having conducted research in 75 countries. Edison Research’s The Infinite Dial® series has been the survey of record for digital audio, social media, podcasting, smart speakers, and other media-related technologies since 1998. The company’s Share of Ear® survey is the only single-source measure of all audio in the U.S. Edison Research is the leading podcast research company in the world, producing the only survey-based data on podcast listening in the U.S, Edison Podcast Metrics, and has conducted research for many companies in the space. Since 2004, Edison Research has been the sole provider of election data, race projections and analysis to the National Election Pool (ABC News, CBS News, CNN, NBC News).
This is a press release which we link to from Podnews, our daily newsletter about podcasting and on-demand. We may make small edits for editorial reasons.
Companies mentioned above:Edison Research