AUCKLAND, Today: MediaWorks has signed a new long-term agreement with Auckland Transport, securing exclusive rights to four major Out of Home (OOH) advertising assets — street furniture, billboards, transit media and transport hubs.
Taking effect from 16 October 2025, the deal sees MediaWorks become Aotearoa’s largest OOH operator. Already the country’s top radio company, MediaWorks now extends its reach across Auckland’s streets.
The partnership includes exclusive representation of Auckland Transport’s street furniture network — nearly 2,000 advertising panels across the region — with plans to expand the digital footprint over time.
MediaWorks also retains its hold on Auckland Transport’s transit assets (buses, trains and ferries), billboard portfolio, and transport hubs — including the soon-to-open CRL stations — giving advertisers broad, integrated coverage across Tāmaki Makaurau.
CEO Wendy Palmer said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have been appointed as Auckland Transport’s partner to develop and grow Auckland’s most prestigious and important OOH assets. This win is a game changer and re-shapes the way New Zealand OOH will be planned and bought by advertisers.
“Our team approached the tender strategically to demonstrate the value and growth we can provide both Auckland Transport and our clients with a new exciting offering that sees street furniture integrated into our existing Auckland Transport portfolio.
“Our plan is to increase the digital capabilities of the street furniture network with enhanced strategic solutions, as we introduce new audience-informed packs across all concessions that will make it even easier for advertisers to do business with us and deliver on their campaign objectives.”
“This win is a game changer and re-shapes the way New Zealand OOH will be planned and bought by advertisers.” – Wendy Palmer
To support the bid, MediaWorks drew on its local market knowledge and the trans-Tasman experience of QMS Australia — led by Adam Trevena, who spearheaded the process. QMS operates Sydney’s citywide digital street furniture network.
Barclay Nettlefold, Chairman of MediaWorks and QMS said, “We are proud to be entrusted to operate the coveted Auckland Transport street furniture concession and are excited about the development plans that we have for the network.
“Renewing our existing Auckland Transport portfolios of transit, transport hubs and billboards enables MediaWorks to build on the past 10 years of partnership with Auckland Transport and firmly establishes us as the #1 OOH operator across Aotearoa.
“With the growing trend towards trans-Tasman trading, our shared expertise between QMS and MediaWorks will provide greater opportunities for our media agency partners and their clients to plan and buy across both markets,” he said.
Auckland Transport’s Media Partnerships and Experience Lead, Simon Soulsby said, “After an incredibly competitive process we are very pleased with the outcome. We look forward to working closely with MediaWorks to deliver innovative Out-of-Home media solutions.
“This new partnership brings certainty for the industry and great outcomes for Auckland ratepayers.”
The agreement follows QMS acquiring 100% of Oaktree Capital Management’s stake in MediaWorks earlier this year.
MediaWorks now reaches 3.5 million Kiwis each week across radio, digital and OOH — 85% of the population*. Together with QMS, the group forms one of the largest media networks in the Asia Pacific.
*Source: Nielsen CMI
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