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New Zealand games industry revenue has passed the $1 billion mark, reaching the milestone two years earlier than forecast. The result reflects strong growth across the country’s game development sector, alongside public funding measures intended to support local studios and skilled jobs.
New Zealand games industry revenue exceeds forecasts
After the Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) was introduced in 2023, the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) projected that the industry would reach $1 billion in revenue by 2028. The latest figures show that the target was achieved ahead of that timetable.
At the end of 2023, the sector had grown by 7% to $270.9 million. In the following reported year, revenue reached $758.9 million, while the industry’s workforce expanded by 29%. Taken together, the figures point to substantial growth in both business activity and employment.
For readers comparing annual figures, it is useful to check the reporting period and methodology used in each industry update. Revenue totals and workforce counts can cover different timeframes, so they should not automatically be treated as directly comparable without that context.
Funding and support for game developers
New Zealand studios can access support through the GDSR and funding from the Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE). These initiatives are intended to encourage game development and help local businesses grow. The government is estimated to receive an eight-to-one return for every dollar invested through these funding streams; this is an estimate, rather than a guaranteed return for each project.
The figures also come amid broader expectations for the economy. For the first time, New Zealand’s creative, digital and technology sectors are expected to contribute more to GDP than the primary sector. Former NZGDA chair Chelsea Rapp previously said the game industry had grown larger than the country’s wool industry, a sector often associated with New Zealand.
Jobs, skills and the industry’s next steps
NZGDA executive director Joy Keene described the results as an inspiring industry success story and said the sector was growing at more than 20 times the global average year on year. She also credited cooperation between government and industry with helping studios innovate and expand.
Keene said a priority now is ensuring that education and vocational training pathways can supply the skills needed for continued growth. For people considering work in game development, checking course content, practical experience and links to studios can help assess how well a training option matches the roles they want to pursue.
Keene also highlighted the potential of game development as a “weightless export industry”: digital products can reach overseas markets without relying on the shipment of physical goods. That may offer economic opportunities, although ongoing growth will depend on studios’ ability to attract talent, develop successful projects and compete internationally.
What the $1 billion milestone means
The latest New Zealand games industry revenue figures show that the sector has reached a major target ahead of schedule, with reported gains in revenue and workforce size. Continued investment in skills and development will be important if the industry is to sustain that momentum and create further opportunities for local studios and workers.
