A bumper year for the NZ Herald

A bumper year for the NZ Herald

MEDIA RELEASE – 12pm 21 November 2019

The New Zealand Herald’s focus on premium, quality journalism is paying dividends, with soaring digital and print readership*, while the Herald’s magazines including Travel, Canvas, Viva and TimeOut, are also enjoying strong growth.

The New Zealand Herald average issue readership for the latest survey period is 465,000, an increase of 12,000 on the same period last year.

“In times of political uncertainty across the globe and within a fragmented media industry, audiences turn to brands they trust. It has been a massive year for news in New Zealand and the Herald has been at the forefront with its fearless pursuit of big stories, major issues and in-depth investigations,” said NZME Managing Editor Shayne Currie.

The launch of nzherald.co.nz digital subscriptions in late April opened a new business model to help sustain the future of quality journalism – more than 15,000 new subscribers have signed up, in addition to the tens of thousands of print subscribers who have activated their digital accounts.

At the same time, the Herald’s overall digital audience numbers grew, lifting NZME’s monthly unique audience in October to 2 million^.

In addition to major news coverage, Currie said events like the Netball World Cup, Cricket World Cup and Rugby World Cup had led to highly engaged audiences seeking out the best commentary and analysis.

“First and foremost, we are doing the right thing by our readers. We steadfastly adhere to the fundamentals of journalism: relentless curiosity, holding truth to power, and giving a voice to the voiceless,” said Currie.

“We’re also very proud of the connection we make with Kiwis when they’re exploring their pastimes. Our weekday travel magazine, Tuesday Travel, is now read by nearly 380,000 people and is the best-read newspaper magazine in the country, while our new-look Canvas magazine is now read by 374,000 people, up 77,000 on a year ago,” said Currie.

The NZ Herald’s Thursday TimeOut magazine also continues to build on its recent success. It is now read by 316,000 people - up 59,000 on last year - while Viva has recorded more growth, up 14,000 on last year.

The Weekend Herald (516,000 readers, up 7,000 year on year) and Herald on Sunday (314,000, 60% of Sunday newspaper market) continue to dominate the news agenda at the weekends.

NZME CEO Michael Boggs said: “New Zealand Media and Entertainment is also celebrating the 3.2 million~ New Zealanders who listen to its radio networks, read its newspapers or access its digital content regularly.

We take great pride in delivering Kiwis news, information and entertainment where, when and how they want it. Our unrivalled blend of digital content, radio broadcasts and newspaper distribution mean we can connect with Kiwis regardless of where they are,” said Boggs.

Source:

Nielsen CMI Q4 18 to Q3 19. AP15+

~Nielsen CMI Q4 18 to Q3 19. September 2019 Fused. AP10+

*NZ Herald weekly coverage vs combined weekly coverage The Press, Otago Daily Times, Dom Post, Waikato Times.

^Nielsen Online Ratings October 2019.

ENDS 

For further information please contact:

Cliff Joiner, GM Communications, New Zealand Media and Entertainment

+64212709995