While the full impact of Campbell’s arrival in major cities won’t be known until the next survey — and for all of New Zealand until later next year — RNZ will be taking heart with today’s numbers.
Overall, RNZ National’s audience now sits at 509,200, up from 492,200 in the previous ratings survey earlier this year.
The growth has come mainly in Auckland, with RNZ National’s audience increasing there from 133,400 to 155,000. Audiences dropped back in Wellington and Christchurch.
When measured against the audiences of commercial radio stations, RNZ is fourth behind NZME’s Newstalk ZB (656,900) and two MediaWorks music stations, The Breeze (597,100) and More FM (521,900). RNZ had been sixth earlier this year.
The latest commercial radio ratings were released last week – they showed ZB holding steady overall for cumulative audience (down just 500 listeners), and up in overall share.
RNZ’s results today mean the gap between it and ZB has closed from 164,500 to 147,700. At breakfast, ZB’s Mike Hosking still holds a lead over Morning Report of 101,700 (it had been 122,000 in the previous survey).
RNZ’s total audience of 509,200 puts it much closer to its stated goal of 520,000 listeners in 2026/27. The Morning Report audience of 342,800 also puts it closer to the goal of 353,000 listeners in the same 12-month period.
Today’s numbers will come as a big relief and morale booster for RNZ, following a strong focus on its radio performance in the past 12 months — especially as it faces further budget cuts and staff losses and after ratings had eased earlier this year.
It has hired a new chief audio officer, employed Campbell on its flagship show, made a number of other on-air and format changes, and is overhauling its Saturday Morning show.
After a scathing review of its audio performance by former news boss Richard Sutherland last year, RNZ moved to make changes.
Chief audio officer Pip Keane said today that RNZ National’s audience had grown 7% year on year — they were RNZ’s best results since survey 1 in 2024, “demonstrating live radio remains central to RNZ’s service”.
“These results show the value audiences place on RNZ National’s distinctive mix of trusted journalism, informed conversation and connection across the day.
“RNZ continues to build audiences in the target areas of its audio plan, with the growth in Auckland being particularly visible.”
The ratings also showed Nine to Noon and Checkpoint audiences had dropped back but First Up and Saturday Morning were up.
In April, Keane said that there were no sacred cows as she considered ratings.
Looking ahead at the time, she said the May ratings would give her and the recently appointed executive editor of news programmes, Sarah de Croy, guidance on future changes.
“I’ll really have the time now that Sarah has started … to actually sit down with all of the teams.
“We’ll dissect those GFK results, and we’ll look at where we’re tracking. What shows need to make changes, and which ones don’t need to make any changes.
“We’ll slap each other on the back if we need to and say we’re doing well here and we’re doing well there. But I think our audience needs to know that we’re open to change.
“If things need to be changed, they will be changed.”
Mihi’s mic drop
Media Insider revealed at the weekend that Saturday Morning co-host Mihingarangi Forbes had taken RNZ management by surprise by resigning on Saturday, at the end of her show.
Sources said Forbes met with RNZ on Friday afternoon and was given four weeks’ notice. One of them understood Saturday’s departure may have caught RNZ management “off guard” and by surprise.
RNZ did not directly answer this in a response to questions.
“Mihingarangi Forbes decided today’s Saturday Morning show would be her last, and we thank her for her work on this programme for the past two years and wish her well,” an RNZ spokeswoman said in a statement on Saturday.
“Mihi is an award-winning journalist with a long history of excellent interviews and storytelling and remains an important contributor to RNZ. We look forward to continuing to work with her on important work like Mata.
“Susie Ferguson will continue to host Saturday Morning for the time being while a new host is recruited.”
On Saturday, the end came abruptly.
After asking Ferguson about the line-up for next week’s show, Forbes revealed to listeners that she wouldn’t be part of it.
“Hmmmm. Well, this is my last show, and it’s been amazing. And I just want to mihi to everybody for having me in their headphones, in their car, and in their lounges and kitchens for the last couple of years.
“It’s been an absolute privilege, and also to you, Susie, and all of our beautiful producers, who look after us.”
Ferguson responded: “Mihingarangi, thank you so much, it has been a joy. And we are sad to see you go.”
Forbes: “Yes, it’s a bit sad, but I’ll be fine”.
Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.