Readership of several weekly magazines published by the Herald daily newspaper, which typically reaches 420,000 people aged 15 and above every day, also grew. Travel, published on a Tuesday, is read by 272,000 people, up 6000. Sunday Travel added 12,000 readers and now is read by 213,000 people.
Friday's The Business magazine, has also grown audience and is read by 249,000 people.
Combined with its website, the Herald's daily audience has hit more than 1 million for the first time.
The Herald website reached a unique audience of 2 million in September, and 1.95 million in October.
NZME managing editor Shayne Currie says audiences were engaging with a wide range of indepth journalism and investigative reporting and new forms of storytelling.
"We have a fantastic team of editors who do an outstanding job leading their teams to provide engaging, entertaining and inspiring content," Currie said.
"It's been a huge news year with the general election, the coalition negotiations and major sports events such as the America's Cup and Lions Tour. As well as superb, indepth coverage of these events, the Herald and NZME teams have also set the agenda with a wide-range of exclusives across news, sport, business and entertainment."
NZME acting chief commercial officer Matt Headland says the strong readership gives advertisers more choice.
"To see an increase in readership in our inserted magazines, as well as an increase in our daily and weekly brand audiences, is great news for advertisers," Headland said.