The New Zealand Podcast Awards return for 2025

The New Zealand Podcast Awards, supported by Acast, are back for 2025.

They celebrate the country’s thriving podcasting community and recognising the creators and voices shaping the audio landscape in Aotearoa.

Going into their 5th edition and building on 2024 Awards’ success – reaching more than 1.2 million Kiwis – this year’s awards promise even greater exposure, prizes and engagement.

Spotlight the talent

Independent podcast company Acast has been named the Headline Partner for the 2025 awards.

With a marketplace spanning more than 140,000 podcasts globally, Acast creates the technology that connects podcast creators, advertisers and listeners.

Acast will also sponsor three cornerstone categories: Podcast of the Year, Listener’s Choice and Best Māori and Pasifika Podcast or Host, reaffirming their commitment to spotlighting diverse and exceptional talent across Aotearoa.

“We’re excited to be supporting the New Zealand Podcast Awards in 2025,” says Ryan Lamont, Acast ANZ’s senior content manager. “There’s so much talent in Aotearoa’s ever-growing podcasting scene and we’re keen to continue championing the creators, stories and great mahi of Kiwis all across the motu.”

Gold winners of each Acast category will be awarded 500,000 advertising impressions to promote their show across Acast’s podcast network in New Zealand.

Podcasting on the rise

In addition, Podlab Studio – Auckland’s premier podcast production studio and content creation house – joins the awards as Supporting Partner.

As supporters of New Zealand’s vibrant podcasting community, PodLab have sponsored three key categories at this year’s NZ Podcast Awards: Best New Podcast, Best Business Podcast and Best Branded Podcast.

Each PodLab category winner will receive a complimentary recording session at PodLab, with every other category winner receiving 50% off a recording session.

“Podcasting in New Zealand is going from strength to strength, and what we see each week in our PodLab studios makes us feel very excited and confident about the future of the industry,” says a PodLab spokesperson.

Jay-Jay Feeney, PodLab’s co-owner and founder adds: “Getting behind the NZ Podcast Awards was a no-brainer for us at PodLab. We’re stoked to be part of something that shines a light on the magic Kiwi podcasters are making.”

Key Dates for NZ Podcast Awards 2025