Homegrown talent features in the 2025 app download charts. Image / Getty Creative
Homegrown talent features in the 2025 app download charts. Image / Getty Creative
Apple has named the most downloaded apps and games of the year in New Zealand.
The top free iPhone apps chart was headed by Open AI’s ChatGPT, but also included homegrown contenders from businesses 2degrees, New World (which had a mixed year on the security front)and Z Energy.
Another local contender, Bloons, made by Kumeū’s Ninja Kiwi, features in the top paid iPhones games, paid iPad games and Arcade charts. The firm, founded by brothers Chris and Stephen Harris, hauled in $109.6m in total revenue last year, or $77.6m net of a dividend paid to their new Swedish owner.
The top paid iPhone apps include a clutch of driving test apps plus the Te Aka Māori Dictionary. The Listener’s Paul Little wrote, “To see how a contemporary dictionary can work, look no further than Te Aka. Charged with maintaining an up-to-date lexicon of te reo Māori and easily accessible online, it is an adequately resourced, exemplary model of what a dictionary can be in the 21st century.”
In addition to year-end charts, last week the App Store editorial team unveiled the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards. This included two apps developed in New Zealand; Apple Vision Pro App of the Year: Explore POV, from James Hustler, and iPad Game of the Year: Dredge. from Black Salt Games.
Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of theHerald’sbusiness team. He joined theHeraldin 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.
