Kiwis rank Waikato Times among the country’s most trusted news sources

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

The Waikato Times has emerged as one of New Zealand’s most trusted news brands, according to a major new national survey, as overall confidence in media shows signs of recovery despite growing public fatigue with the news.

The latest Trust in News in Aotearoa New Zealand 2026 report, released by the Auckland University of Technology’s Journalism, Media and Democracy (JMAD) research centre, found the Waikato Times ranked equal fourth for trust among New Zealand news outlets — a notable debut after being included in the survey for the first time.

Waikato Times editor Jonathan MacKenzie was delighted with the results.

'Trust is everything in any kind of relationship as far as I'm concerned, so this is a great result for the Waikato Times and its readers,“ he said.

“We do try hard to get things right and also to hold ourselves to account if we get things wrong so it's very rewarding to have a healthy and trusting relationship with our readers.”

The regional masthead sits alongside Newsroom, The Listener and Interest.co.nz in the listing of trusted brands, behind RNZ, the Otago Daily Times and TVNZ.

The result comes as trust in news overall lifts to 37% — up five percentage points on 2025 — marking a modest rebound after years of decline following the Covid-era peak of more than 50%.

Researchers say the strong showing for the Waikato Times highlights the continued importance of regional journalism, even as local news coverage shrinks nationwide.

The report notes that dozens of community newspapers have closed in recent years, raising concerns about “news deserts” and the loss of trusted local voices.

At the same time, demand for local reporting remains high.

The survey found 74% of New Zealanders are interested in local news — more than any other category — underlining the role of regional outlets like the Waikato Times in maintaining public engagement.

JMAD researchers said trust in established news brands is closely tied to perceptions of professionalism, transparency and fact-checking — qualities respondents frequently associated with traditional journalism.

“Traditional news is run by professionals… it uses details that allow verification,” one respondent said, reflecting a broader trend of audiences placing greater trust in mainstream outlets over social media and influencers.

The Waikato Times’ strong trust rating also comes amid significant changes in New Zealand’s media landscape, including shifting ownership structures and financial pressures on newsrooms.

In 2025, Stuff — publisher of the Waikato Times — sold a 50% stake in its digital arm to Trade Me, while broader industry consolidation saw major players change hands.

Despite these upheavals, the survey found trust increased across all major news brands in 2026, suggesting audiences may be regaining confidence in journalism.

However, the report also paints a more complicated picture of the relationship between audiences and news.

While interest remains high — with 91% of New Zealanders saying they are at least somewhat interested in news — avoidance is rising sharply.

Nearly four in five people (78%) now say they actively avoid news at least sometimes, up from 73% last year.

The main reasons cited include the emotional toll of news coverage, with more than half of respondents saying it negatively affects their mood, and a third saying they feel worn out by the volume of information.

The findings suggest a tension at the heart of modern news consumption: audiences value trusted reporting, particularly at a local level, but are increasingly overwhelmed by the broader news environment.

For regional outlets like the Waikato Times, that presents both an opportunity and a challenge.

The survey shows audiences are still turning to traditional journalism for verification, with 53% saying they would check questionable information against a trusted news source.

But the rise of social media and alternative sources is reshaping how people access news, with nearly one in five New Zealanders now citing social platforms as their main source.

Researchers say maintaining trust will depend on news organisations continuing to demonstrate transparency, avoid bias and uphold strong editorial standards — the factors most valued by audiences.

For the Waikato Times, its high trust ranking suggests it is meeting those expectations at a time when confidence in media remains fragile.