Summarised by Centrist
A new report confirms what many New Zealanders already feel: the media can’t be trusted.
According to the 2025 Acumen Edelman Trust Barometer, 61% of Kiwis believe journalists are deliberately misleading the public, while 68% say it’s becoming harder to tell if a news story is from a reputable source or someone trying to deceive them.
The annual global survey—conducted in partnership with Acumen and based on responses from over 1,100 New Zealanders—finds the country has now shifted fully into “distrust territory” across key institutions. The media ranks among the least trusted in both ethics and competence.
Grievance is rising across all income levels, but what makes this year’s report especially damning is how universal that disillusionment has become. Even high-income trust levels are collapsing, with an 8-point drop this year alone.
“New Zealanders are feeling overlooked by those in power and disillusioned as a result,” said Acumen CEO Adelle Keely. “The public expect more from our institutions.” Business remains the most trusted sector and even it is slipping.
Just 19% of New Zealanders believe the next generation will be better off, compared to 36% globally.
