2degrees has returned to pre-tax profit following its 2022 merger with Vocus. The New Zealand telecommunications company reported revenue of $1.46 billion, up 5.5%, and trading EBITDA of $421.1 million, up 6.5%. Pre-tax profit reached $27.4 million, a $50 million turnaround from the previous year. The results mark the completion of a multi-year integration programme. Growth came across consumer, business and wholesale operations. Chief Executive Officer Mark Callander said the company has successfully completed integration whilst delivering record trading EBITDA. 2degrees also expanded its business division, winning several large enterprise and public-sector contracts. The company broadened its as-a-service portfolio and increased use of artificial intelligence in product development.

2026 YouTube NZ Marketing Awards celebrate every angle. The 2026 YouTube NZ Marketing Awards winners nailed this year's theme: 'Celebrating marketing from every angle.' Now in their 35th year, the Awards were held at Auckland's Spark Arena on September 2. The evening brings together the industry's best and brightest to honour outstanding work and the talented people behind it. The black tie affair is hosted by NZ Marketing magazine and the NZ Marketing Association, and once again lived up to its reputation as the premier awards programme in Aotearoa's marketing calendar with a spectacular show. After the formalities, celebrations continued with an after party sponsored by YouTube. Christchurch-based Shapeshifter (DJ set) had the sold-out audience dancing hard to their award-winning sound. Work grounded in local truths. While most of the trophies were taken home by homegrown companies, international brand Samsung New Zealand were honoured with the Supreme Marketing Excellence Award. They had already won Excellence in Long-Term Marketing Strategy for developing a blueprint that spoke to Gen Z here instead of following their parent brand's worldwide playbook. (Samsung Global has since adopted this approach.) Meanwhile international judge Jim Lecinski, Clinical Professor of Marketing at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, chose Trade Me Property as Brand of the Year. A mixture of commercial results alongside dual appeal to Kiwi buyers and sellers as well as estate agents clinched the title. "I am completely blown away by how they managed to fire on every single cylinder simultaneously during a brutal macroeconomic winter for the property sector. "I love that they grounded their consumer strategy in the pure human empathy of 'home is how we live', bringing back the beloved Kev the Kiwi to win over Kiwi hearts," says Lecinski. It was a good night for Trade Me, which also scooped Excellence Awards in two categories: Customer & Data-Led Growth as well as MarTech Strategy. Westpac's 'House of Credit Card Fears' took out the Best Overall Marketing Campaign Award, as well as two other awards: Best B2C Marketing Campaign and Best Content Marketing Campaign. Standout marketing. Wendy Rayner, managing director NZ of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners NZ, was the 2026 inductee into the Marketing Hall of Fame. The honour recognises her impressive career as a marketer at TVNZ, Lotto and her contribution to the industry. Sean Wiggans, who needs little introduction other than he brought us Tina from Turners, was named Marketer of the Year 2026. And Emi Cross - just starting her career at Maverick Tourism Marketing - was a standout for judges, who chose her as Marketer of the Future 2026. Team of the Year 2026 went to Animates. In the face of strong competition, they put their two and four-legged customers at the heart of all their activities, reshaping the direction of the company and driving strong business results. And special mention to Greyhounds as Pets for 'Greathounds' - an urgent campaign to help rehome dogs ahead of the greyhound racing ban. 'Greathounds' sent dogs and designer clothes down the runway during NZ Fashion Week 2025 and picked up Not-for-profit awards in both the Marketing Campaign and Marketing Excellence sections as well as the Best Social Purpose-Driven Marketing Campaign Award. Three other Kiwi organisations also went home with more than one trophy. AMI and 2degrees won two Excellence Awards apiece while Auckland Transport were celebrating winning two Campaign Awards. Congratulations to all winners and finalists. "It's 35 years since these awards were set up as a way to champion the thought process behind successful marketing. Tonight we've seen so many ways how strategic thinking can translate into marketing that drives commercial results - and how innovation from Aotearoa can influence global giants. Huge congratulations to all the winners" says NZ Marketing editor Penny Murray. "The 2026 YouTube NZ Marketing Awards once again showed that New Zealand marketers are among the best in the world. From Sean Wiggans, Animates to Trade Me Property, and across every category on the night, the winners demonstrated the depth, breadth and quality of marketing talent in this country. It was fantastic to see so many different brands, agencies and individuals recognised for the calibre of their work. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners," says John Miles, CEO of the NZ Marketing Association. The 2026 YouTube NZ Marketing Awards are proudly brought to you by naming sponsor YouTube, along with gold sponsors MediaWorks and oOh!media. Our silver sponsor is NZME, and category sponsors this year are Agency Directory, Dish magazine, SCG, Sky, StopPress, TRA and Vistar Media. Producing the awards alongside NZ Marketing is long-time partner and industry body the NZ Marketing Association.

One NZ and 2degrees propose new mobile network infrastructure sharing platform. Posted on 27-Aug-2026 12:34 | Filed under: News: Mobile One New Zealand today announced its proposed plans to establish a network infrastructure sharing arrangement with 2degrees, to combine each company's RAN infrastructure in a new, jointly owned business. This proposal would deliver better and more efficient deployment of mobile network assets, including faster rollout of new technologies and improved resiliency, while enabling One NZ to focus investment on the parts of its network and services that create the most value for customers and support long-term growth. RAN technology includes the active equipment on mobile sites, such as the electronics and antennas. One NZ and 2degrees currently have a commercial RAN sharing arrangement for a smaller number of sites around the country. Other examples of mobile network infrastructure sharing arrangements include the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG), and mobile tower companies Fortysouth and Connexa. Under the proposal, One NZ and 2degrees would contribute their respective RAN assets into a jointly-owned commercial entity. The new entity would own, manage and operate the shared RAN infrastructure, providing network services back to each company via separate wholesale agreements. The model is designed to make more efficient use of existing infrastructure, reduce unnecessary duplication and create a stronger platform for future investment in New Zealand's digital connectivity. If approved, One NZ and 2degrees would continue to operate as fully independent retail and wholesale businesses and continue to compete strongly for both consumer and business customers. One NZ would retain ownership and control of its spectrum management rights, core networks, fibre backhaul assets and satellite innovations - preserving the strategic assets and capabilities that underpin differentiated services, customer experience, innovation and competition. Incoming One NZ CEO, Nick Judd, says RAN network sharing is already common in overseas markets and enables more efficient investment in mobile infrastructure. "This proposal would deliver real benefits for customers by enabling Geekzone to deliver better connectivity. This includes faster access to new technologies such as 6G and improving overall network resilience. "It also gives Geekzone a more efficient platform for long-term network investment, allowing capital to be directed to the areas where One NZ can deliver the greatest differentiation and value for customers, including product innovation, customer experience, core network capability and new connectivity services. "It supports its sustainability goals by reducing duplication of equipment and lowering overall energy use over time. "We would continue to operate independently in the New Zealand market, competing strongly with 2degrees and other players on the elements that matter most for consumers, including value, products and innovation." This proposal is subject to approvals, including from the NZ Commerce Commission and Overseas Investment Office, as well as some reorganisation steps. Subject to these, the transaction is aiming for completion in the first half of 2027.