Homegrown talent features in the 2025 charts. Image / Getty Creative

From AI to Kiwi hits: The apps and games Kiwis downloaded most this year

Author: NZ Herald,
Publish Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2025, 3:24pm

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 and Z Energy.

Another local contender, Bloons, made by Kumeu’s Ninja Kiwi, features in the top paid iPhones games, paid iPad games and arcade charts.

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 out of 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.

Top Free iPhone Apps