Industry Report 2025: New Zealand

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
The New Zealand game development industry generated NZ$759.9 million in 2025, marking a 38.4% year-on-year revenue increase.See it on page 18
02
Government investment via the Game Development Sector Rebate has been highly effective, delivering a 4.74 return for every dollar spent.See it on page 26
03
The sector’s workforce grew by 29.2% in 2025, reaching a total of 1,418 full-time equivalent employees.See it on page 19
04
87% of surveyed studios utilized government rebate capital to retain staff, hire new talent, and reinvest in their business operations.See it on page 26
05
Industry confidence remains high, with 87% of studios projecting revenue growth or stability despite global challenges like talent shortages and studio instability.See it on page 22
06
The industry is currently on a growth trajectory expected to surpass the NZ$1 billion annual revenue threshold in the near future.See it on page 18

Summary

The New Zealand game development industry reached a significant milestone in 2025, recording annual revenue of NZ$759.9 million. This represents a substantial 38.4% year-on-year increase, cementing the sector as a vital contributor to the national economy. Driven by an export-oriented business model, the industry has successfully expanded its workforce by 29.2%, now employing 1,418 full-time equivalents. Projections indicate that this upward trajectory will continue, with the sector poised to surpass the NZ$1 billion revenue threshold in the near future.

Strategic government intervention has served as a primary catalyst for this expansion. The Game Development Sector Rebate has proven highly effective, yielding a 4.74 return for every dollar invested. These funds have been critical for studio stability, with 87% of surveyed organizations utilizing the capital to retain existing staff, recruit new talent, and facilitate business reinvestment. Furthermore, initiatives such as the Centre of Digital Excellence continue to bolster the local ecosystem, helping to mitigate the pressures of rising global development costs and intense competition for skilled labor.

Despite facing broader international challenges, including studio instability and persistent talent shortages, the industry maintains a high degree of confidence. Looking ahead, the focus remains on sustaining this momentum through comprehensive educational reform, the ethical integration of artificial intelligence, and continued advocacy for favorable regulatory frameworks. With 87% of studios expressing optimism regarding their ability to maintain or grow revenue, the sector is well-positioned to navigate future market complexities while reinforcing its status as a high-growth pillar of the New Zealand economy.