RNZ has again been named New Zealand’s most trusted news brand in a new 2026 report about public trust in news. The study, carried out by AUT’s Journalism, Media and Democracy centre, found that 57 percent of people surveyed trust RNZ. The Otago Daily Times was ranked second, and TVNZ came third. RNZ also held the top place in the same survey in 2025.
RNZ chief executive and editor in chief Paul Thompson said building trust has been an important goal for the organisation. He said the result shows the value of following strong editorial standards and giving people reliable, independent news. He added that RNZ plans to keep improving by training staff, checking its work carefully, and joining projects that help prove where content comes from.
The report also found that trust in news overall has gone up in New Zealand. About 37 percent of people said they trust most news most of the time, compared with 32 percent in 2025. Trust in the news people choose for themselves also rose from 45 percent to 50 percent. Trust in news shared on social media increased too, from 13 percent to 17 percent.
Online news sites and apps were the main news source for 38 percent of New Zealanders. Television was the main source for 20 percent, while 19 percent said social media was where they got most of their news. The report said 60 percent of New Zealanders still feel uncomfortable with news made mostly by artificial intelligence, even when humans check it. It also found that 78 percent of people avoid the news at least sometimes, often because it affects their mood or makes them feel tired.
