Infometrics report: The TikTok Effect - Almost 10,000 jobs and $1.2 billion in GDP contributed to the New Zealand economy in 2025

A new report from leading economic consultancy, Infometrics, shows that TikTok has become an integral part of New Zealand's business landscape, supporting over 9,700 local jobs and helping boost the local economy by an estimated $1.2 billion.

The inaugural report, 'The economic impact of TikTok in New Zealand', examines how local businesses, creators, and New Zealand audiences - two million Kiwis across the country - have embraced the global discovery platform to fuel economic opportunity.

TikTok's discovery engine is proving to be a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes, with the report showing around 309,000 Kiwi businesses are using the platform each month to promote themselves, connect with customers, and support their livelihoods.

It found that despite the economic downturn and fragile recovery, each month, hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders (671,000) are visiting restaurants and cafes, purchasing goods or services, attending cultural or sporting events, or visiting somewhere new, after discovering it on TikTok.

In fact, $434 million of the GDP contribution comes directly from spending at local businesses. The median self-reported sales uplift from TikTok activity is 20-30%, with an average uplift of 24%.

Brad Olsen, Chief Executive & Principal Economist, Infometrics said TikTok has helped boost the country's economic recovery at a time when local businesses are looking to expand their customer base.

"TikTok's economic contribution to New Zealand is substantial, and the breadth of businesses that use the platform - around half of Kiwi businesses - and generate activity based on that use is remarkable," said Brad.

"You don't have to have a large marketing budget or a huge follower count to get attention on TikTok, and small businesses and new operators are embracing this access and opportunity. This is paying off for businesses, with an estimated 671,000 New Zealanders seeing the latest products or services on TikTok and spending money in the real world - at places like restaurants and cafes or on clothing, cosmetics, and accommodation."

Businesses of all ages have embraced TikTok, from those that have started in the last five years through to long-established, iconic Kiwi brands. The Warehouse, one of New Zealand's most recognised national retailers, credits TikTok with "putting them ahead of the game."

The report also shows 15% of businesses on TikTok rely solely on organic content. Samantha Goos from Wanaka Horse Trekking (@wanakahorsetrekking) said, “making a video is free, and if you make the right one you can reach millions of people straight away. The sky's the limit!”

Other key findings include:

• More than half of TikTok users (53%) purchase products or services every month after seeing content on TikTok, equivalent to 671,000 New Zealanders, with a median monthly spend of $300 across the relevant spending categories.
• Every month, an estimated 368,000 Kiwis visit a restaurant or café after discovering it on TikTok.
• TikTok users and businesses are highly diverse and represented across every region of New Zealand.
• More than half (54%) of TikTok-using business decision makers in New Zealand identify as Māori, Pacific Peoples, or of Asian heritage.
• TikTok has also become an important platform for the creator economy, with an estimated 411,000 Kiwis identifying as content creators. More than half of these creators (51%) reported earning income through brand partnerships, in-app gifting, or both.
• The top reasons for visiting TikTok are entertainment, relaxation, and discovery. Nearly 9 in 10 regular users (86%) say they use the platform as a source of entertainment, 77% to relax, 67% to learn about topics of interest, and 61% to find information.

Amy Bradshaw, General Manager for Global Business Solutions, TikTok AUNZ said the report demonstrates the real and tangible power of TikTok as a tool for business growth.

"Not only are two million New Zealanders showcasing Kiwi creativity and culture to the world, over 300,000 local businesses are thriving thanks to TikTok," said Amy.

"As TikTok has grown, our role in the New Zealand economy has shifted. What started as a platform for content discovery has fast become much more, and is now one of the most effective commerce and growth channels available to New Zealand businesses, from local founders scaling their first product to established brands finding entirely new customer bases. The economic contribution is real, measurable, and growing."

The report showcases success stories right around the country, from tourism operators such as Kiwi Water Park (@kiwiwaterpark) in Cromwell who have amassed 14.1 million likes and TikTok to ZORB Rotorua (@zorb.rotorua) whose top video is nearing 50 million views, through to leading local icons such as Trade Me (@trademe_nz), The Morning Shift (@themorningshiftshow), and the One New Zealand Warriors (@nzwarriors).

ENDS

Access the full report

The full report, The economic impact of TikTok in New Zealand, can be found here.

About TikTok New Zealand

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video, loved by two million Kiwis and over 300,000 New Zealand businesses. For the latest, follow @tiktok_nz or visitTikTok's newsroom.