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Podcasting has exploded over the past few years — and more people than ever are asking how do podcasts make money? Once a niche hobby, podcasting is now a global industry filled with opportunities for creators to build audiences, share stories, and earn an income.
So why the sudden boom? Podcasts are easy to fit into busy lives. People listen while driving, walking the dog or cleaning the house. They’re also personal. When someone hears your voice in their ears week after week, it builds real trust. That kind of connection is gold when it comes to making money.
Here in New Zealand, podcasting is still growing. That’s actually a good thing. It means the space isn’t overcrowded yet. There’s still room for new voices, local stories and niche topics. Whether you’re into wellness, business, money, pop culture or anything else, there’s a chance to build an audience and turn that into income.
The best part? You don’t need fancy gear or radio experience. You can start a podcast from your living room, and if you stick with it, you can absolutely make money from it.
Yes, you can. It might not be instant, but it’s definitely possible. While a handful of big-name podcasts earn huge money, there are plenty of smaller shows making steady side income too.
Some podcasters in New Zealand are turning their shows into full-time gigs. Others are using their podcast to promote a service, grow their brand or connect with paying clients. It’s not just about how many people listen. What really matters is trust. If people believe in what you’re saying, they’re more likely to support you financially.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the practical ways to turn your podcast into a money-maker — step by step.
Before you think about sponsors or side income, you need to create a podcast people actually want to listen to. Sounds obvious, but a lot of people skip this part and wonder why things aren’t taking off.
It all starts with value. If your podcast helps, entertains or inspires someone, they’ll come back for more. That consistency builds trust — and trust is what opens the door to making money later on.
Start by getting super clear on who your podcast is for. Is it for first-time business owners? Parents juggling work and side hustles? Creative Kiwis trying to turn a hobby into income?
If you try to appeal to everyone, you’ll probably end up connecting with no one. But if you get specific, you’ll attract people who feel like you’re speaking directly to them.
Next, think about your topic. Ideally, you want a mix of something you care about and something that has earning potential. That doesn’t mean you need to chase trends, but it does help to choose a space where:
For example, there’s a big difference between “talking about life” and “helping first-home buyers navigate the NZ property market.” One is broad and hard to monetise, the other solves a clear problem and could lead to sponsors, affiliate deals or digital products.
Here’s something most people get wrong: you don’t need tens of thousands of listeners to start making money. A smaller, loyal audience that trusts you is far more powerful than big download numbers with no engagement.
In fact, some of the best monetised podcasts in New Zealand are niche shows with a few hundred listeners — but those listeners are loyal, engaged and ready to buy. That’s what matters.
It’s tempting to jump straight into monetising, especially if you’ve put time and energy into your first few episodes. But if no one’s listening yet, it’s going to feel like shouting into the void. The real money comes once you’ve built an audience who trusts you — even if it’s a small one.
When you’re just getting started, your download numbers might feel discouragingly low. That’s totally normal — every podcaster starts there. Don’t let it knock your confidence.
Rather than obsessing over how many people are listening, think about the experience you’re creating for the ones who are. Are you showing up consistently? Are your episodes easy to follow, valuable, and worth sharing?
Trust takes time, but once you’ve built it, monetising your podcast becomes much easier. People support creators they believe in — and that belief starts with showing up regularly, not trying to sell too soon.
You don’t need a huge marketing budget to grow your podcast. These low-cost, practical ideas can help you reach more listeners:
Remember, consistency is key. Promotion isn’t something you do once — it’s about showing up regularly so new people keep discovering your podcast.
One of the fastest ways to grow in New Zealand is through collaboration. The podcasting scene here is still tight-knit, which means many creators are open to cross-promotion, guest swaps, or joint giveaways.
If there’s another podcast in a similar niche, reach out. Even a 10-minute guest appearance could get you in front of hundreds of new listeners who are already into your topic.
Collaboration is a win-win. You grow your audience, and so do they — without spending a cent.
Sponsorships are one of the most talked-about ways to earn from podcasting — and for good reason. When done right, they can bring in steady income without you having to sell anything directly to your audience. But they’re not always as simple as they sound.
Sponsors can pay in a few different ways:
Each option has pros and cons. CPM works best with high download numbers, while flat rates or affiliate deals are often a better fit for newer or niche podcasts.
The CPM model is a bit harder to apply in New Zealand, where audiences are often smaller. For local podcasts with under 10,000 downloads per episode, most sponsors will prefer flat-rate pricing.
A good starting point for newer shows:
It all comes down to the value you offer. If your listeners trust your recommendations and take action, that’s gold — even if your numbers aren’t huge.
You don’t need to wait for sponsors to come to you. Here are a few ways to get started:
Remember, sponsors are paying for access to your influence — not just your numbers. If you’ve built trust with your audience, that’s a powerful selling point.
Sometimes your biggest supporters aren’t sponsors or advertisers — they’re your listeners. If your podcast helps people, entertains them, or keeps them company on long drives, many are more than happy to chip in to keep it going.
That’s where listener support comes in. It’s a way for your audience to contribute directly, usually in exchange for small perks — or simply to say thanks.
There are some great platforms that make it easy to start accepting listener support:
Each one has its own style, so pick the one that fits your vibe. You don’t need to overcomplicate it — even a single $5/month option is enough to get started.
You don’t need to offer anything fancy. Here are a few simple ideas that listeners love:
Offer something that feels exclusive, but keep it manageable. The goal is to add value without piling on more work.
Asking for money can feel awkward — especially in New Zealand, where tall poppy syndrome is real. But if your podcast is genuinely helping people, there’s nothing wrong with letting them support it.
Here’s how to keep it natural and low-pressure:
You might be surprised how many people want to support you. They just need a gentle nudge and an easy way to do it.
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to start earning from your podcast — especially if you’re already recommending tools, books, or services in your episodes. The idea is simple: you share a special link, and when someone buys through it, you earn a commission.
It doesn’t cost your listeners anything extra, but it gives you a way to get paid for the value you’re already providing.
When you join an affiliate programme, you’ll get a unique tracking link. Share that link in your show notes, on your website, or in your emails. If someone clicks it and makes a purchase, you earn a cut of the sale.
Commission rates can vary. Some are around 5%, while others go up to 30% or more — especially for software, digital products or online courses. Higher-ticket items usually mean higher payouts.
The best bit? Once your links are out there, they can keep earning passively — even from episodes you published months ago.
You don’t need to join every affiliate programme under the sun. Start with things you genuinely use, believe in, and that make sense for your audience.
Here are a few solid affiliate options for New Zealand-based podcasts:
You can also reach out directly to small Kiwi businesses and offer a custom affiliate deal. It’s a great way to support local while earning commission.
Affiliate marketing only works if your listeners trust you. People won’t click your links — let alone buy — if they don’t believe you genuinely back what you’re promoting.
To keep things authentic and effective:
Affiliate income doesn’t usually spike overnight, but it builds up over time. And for podcasters with a loyal audience — even a small one — it can become a reliable income stream.
One of the most powerful ways to make money from a podcast is by selling your own products or services. It could be a digital download, a physical item, or something as simple as a guide that helps your audience solve a problem, save time or hit a goal.
The beauty of this method? You’re not relying on sponsors or algorithms — you’re building something you own and control.
You don’t need to come up with something groundbreaking. Start with an idea that naturally connects to your podcast theme. A few examples:
Think of your podcast as the front door — and your product or service as what listeners discover once they step inside. You’re not doing a hard sell. You’re sharing value, building trust, and offering a next step for those who want more.
The best part? Your listeners already trust you. That makes selling much easier than trying to reach cold leads.
Here’s how to promote without being pushy:
You don’t need a big brand or fancy team — just something useful, a consistent voice, and the confidence to offer your listeners more of what they already value from you.
If you’ve built trust and credibility through your podcast, offering services or consulting can be one of the fastest ways to turn listeners into paying clients. It works especially well in niches like business, finance, health, coaching, marketing or the creative industries.
Think of your podcast as a weekly ad — but not the pushy kind. Every episode shows off your knowledge, personality and ability to help. Over time, listeners start seeing you as someone who could genuinely support them.
They might not reach out straight away, but when they’re ready, you’ll be the first person they think of.
Use your podcast to gently promote offers like:
The key is to be clear and specific about what you offer. Don’t just say, “Get in touch if you need help.” Give listeners a simple action to take.
Here are a few easy ways to say it:
You don’t need to push hard. Just make it easy for people who are already interested to say yes.
This is where podcasting shines. Your audience has heard your voice, your stories and your perspective. They know what you’re about. By the time someone reaches out, they often already trust you — and that trust makes the decision to hire you much easier.
You’re not just a name on a sales page. You’re someone they’ve learned from, connected with, and come to see as a go-to expert in your space.
Once your podcast starts getting steady downloads, ad networks can be a simple, hands-off way to earn income. These platforms connect you with advertisers and take care of the backend — things like tracking, payments and matching your show with relevant brands. All you need to do is approve the ads and include them in your episodes.
It’s not always the highest-paying option, but once your show gains traction, it can be a solid “set-and-forget” revenue stream.
There are two main types of podcast ads you’ll come across:
Host-read ads often pay more, but they do require a bit of extra effort.
Most ad networks have minimum download thresholds. Some want 5,000 downloads per episode, while others are more flexible. If your podcast is still growing, you might not qualify just yet — but it’s worth preparing for down the track.
Once you’re hitting around 1,000+ downloads per episode, more opportunities start to open up.
Here are a few platforms to check out (some of which are active in New Zealand):
Make sure you read the fine print. Some networks will place ads across your entire catalogue or restrict where and when ads appear — so pick a platform that lets you keep creative control.
CPM rates (cost per 1,000 downloads) usually sit between $15 and $50, depending on your topic, audience, and ad type. That might not sound like a lot upfront, but it can add up quickly if your show gets thousands of listens each week.
And remember, ad networks don’t need to be your only income stream. They can sit alongside affiliate links, listener support or your own products — giving you a well-rounded, sustainable revenue mix.
If you’re creating a podcast in New Zealand, there’s another potential income stream that often flies under the radar — funding. Whether you’re working on a passion project, covering a community issue, or sharing a unique story, you might be eligible for grants or creative support.
It’s not guaranteed income, but it can give your podcast a valuable boost — especially in the early stages or when you’re ready to grow.
NZ On Air has backed a growing number of Kiwi podcasts, particularly those highlighting diverse voices, underrepresented communities or nationally significant topics. They’re not just after big shows — they want ideas that matter.
To apply, you’ll usually need a clear concept, a plan for how you’ll produce the podcast, and a strong reason why it deserves funding. You’ll stand out even more if your idea supports a community that’s not often heard in mainstream media.
Website: nzonair.govt.nz
Creative NZ funds a wide range of artistic projects — including podcasts that explore arts, culture, heritage or creative storytelling. If your podcast touches on any of these themes, it’s worth checking out.
The application process can be a bit more involved, and it helps if you’ve got a background in storytelling or content creation. But if you’ve got a strong idea and a clear purpose, it’s a solid opportunity.
Website: creativenz.govt.nz
While not guaranteed income, entering competitions can bring visibility, credibility and new opportunities — including collaborations, sponsorships, or even cash prizes.
Keep an eye out for:
Even if you don’t win, applying helps sharpen your message, improve your production and put your work in front of people who might want to back it.
It’s not about having a huge following or a massive production budget. What really matters is having a clear message, a plan, and a genuine connection with your audience.
Start by focusing on value. Show up consistently. Build trust. Then, when the time feels right, layer in monetisation — whether that’s through sponsorships, affiliate links, your own products, or services.
Podcasting isn’t just a creative outlet. With the right approach, it can turn into a real income stream. Stay consistent, keep delivering value, and remember — even small shows can earn well when the audience is engaged.
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Hey, I’m Rachel! I started Side Hustles NZ in 2021 with the goal of helping Kiwi’s start and grow small businesses in New Zealand. During the week you’ll find me discussing side hustle ideas in our Facebook group, working in my website design business, or riding my horses.
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