Updated Mar 17, 2026 by New Zealand Game Developers Association
Gaming is a mainstream activity in New Zealand, with 81% of the population playing and 73% of households owning two or more gaming devices.
The average New Zealand gamer is 36 years old, with 80% of the gaming population aged 18 or older.
Over 75% of parents implement gameplay limits for their children, with nearly 40% describing these rules as strictly enforced.
Parental support for gaming is primarily driven by the perceived benefits of enjoyment, educational value, and problem-solving skills.
While awareness of the New Zealand game-classification system is generally solid among adults, there is a notable decline in familiarity regarding R13–R16 rating categories.
These findings are based on a May 2025 survey of 820 households, representing 1,309 individual gamers with a 3.5% margin of error.
Gaming is a mainstream activity in New Zealand, with 81% of the population playing and 73% of households owning two or more gaming devices.
The average New Zealand gamer is 36 years old, with 80% of the gaming population aged 18 or older.
Over 75% of parents implement gameplay limits for their children, with nearly 40% describing these rules as strictly enforced.
Parental support for gaming is primarily driven by the perceived benefits of enjoyment, educational value, and problem-solving skills.
While awareness of the New Zealand game-classification system is generally solid among adults, there is a notable decline in familiarity regarding R13–R16 rating categories.
These findings are based on a May 2025 survey of 820 households, representing 1,309 individual gamers with a 3.5% margin of error.