Standard Media Index

New Zealand’s media agency market has recorded its fourth consecutive month of growth in April and its highest percentage growth in more than a year, with total ad demand up 4.7% year-on-year to $90.7 million.

Key highlights

• Demand was largely driven by a 32% increase in Government activity compared with April 2025, making it the largest-spending product category this month.
• Outdoor was a major beneficiary, up 13.6% year-on-year to $17.8 million.
• Radio ad revenue increased 18.8% year-on-year.
• Free-to-Air TV grew 1.0%, while a 7.7% increase in Pay TV spend helped lift total Linear TV spend 2.0% to $21.0 million.
• Digital grew 1.0% to just under $40.0 million, with declines in Search offset by strong growth in Streaming (+23.5%) and Content Sites (+10.3%).
• Magazine ad spend increased 2.2% year-on-year.
• Cinema bookings rose 24.4%.
• Year-to-date ad spend is up 2.1%, driven by growth in Insurance (+18.1%) and Government (+12.3%).
• These gains offset a 16.9% decline in Retail advertising to $23.4 million, while Utilities, Fuel and Energy (-20%) and Restaurants (-8%) also softened.