Top 20 from New Zealand on Instagram Influencers by Follower Growth

Last updated: October 02, 2026

Total Influencers in New Zealand

10,866

Expected Reach

120.0M

Total Followers

420.6M

Avg Engagement

4.83%

Audience Analysis

Gender Distribution

Female57%
Male43%

Age Distribution

25-3440.3%
18-2430.0%
35-4415.5%
13-176.5%

Top Countries

New Zealand22.3%
United States of America19.8%
Australia8.0%
United Kingdom4.0%
Brazil3.9%

Top Languages

en75.5%
es7.6%
de4.5%

Top Cities

Auckland8.3%
Wellington1.9%
Rotorua1.5%
Canterbury1.0%
Hamilton1.0%

Top 20 Creators

RankInfluencerLocationFollowersEngagementMonthly GrowthScore
1
Karl Urban
@karlurban
Auckland, New Zealand
5.8M
Followers
6.96%
Engagement
+3.6%(+201.8K)
9.0
2
Darshan Patel
@printsculptors
Mechanical Engineer | Based in New Zealand 🇳🇿 I 3D print creative designs and share them with you.
New Zealand
1.1M
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+15.1%(+146.6K)
8.2
3
Sarah Pidgeon
@sarah__pidgeon
New Zealand
668.9K
Followers
17.31%
Engagement
+14.8%(+86.2K)
9.7
4
Glenn Phillips
@glennphillips236
Professional Cricketer. @newbalance | @gujarat_titans Inquires: enquiries@thrivesportsint.com
New Zealand
1.2M
Followers
12.94%
Engagement
+7.4%(+81.0K)
8.7
5
Simeon Fiapule
@uce_gang
📧: ucegang@omgint.com Manager: @the_uce_o Agency: @orion_mgmt_group
New Zealand
2.3M
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+2.8%(+62.0K)
8.1
6
Jony Lee
@jonymlee
the one thing that keeps me alive and drives me insane: @alistairsklee • 💌 orion@vigroup.co.nz
New Zealand
702.0K
Followers
4.10%
Engagement
+8.6%(+55.9K)
8.2
7
Finn Allen
@finnallen32
Managed by @nomasmanagement
Auckland, New Zealand
414.2K
Followers
84.64%
Engagement
+12.3%(+45.3K)
10.0
8
SamNeillTheProp
@samneilltheprop
My only Insta account. Also on TikTok - SamNeillOfficial BEWARE of any accounts saying they are me , or represent me , these are fake & are a SCAM .
New Zealand
1.1M
Followers
5.77%
Engagement
+3.9%(+41.7K)
8.7
9
Cassie Henderson
@cassie__henderson
lots of panic, but more disco than originally thought footnotes EP out now 🩶
New Zealand
310.3K
Followers
1.79%
Engagement
+11.7%(+32.4K)
7.7
10
Catherine Bines
@calibersadventures
The adventures of Caliber. Making memories in a fairytale landscape. Bitless Barefoot liberty freerider @maretothethrone CALIBER10
New Zealand
327.0K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+10.7%(+31.5K)
6.4
11
Carine Claudepierre
@theconsciousplantkitchen
✨️🙏Easy Plant-Based Baking recipes 📖BakeBook Pre-orders October 2026 🧘‍♂️No eggs, No Dairy, Better for You 🔗Author theconsciousplantkitchen.com
New Zealand
1.5M
Followers
0.19%
Engagement
+1.9%(+28.0K)
5.8
12
RYUJIN
@iamfinethankyouandryu
ITZY
Auckland, New Zealand
5.5M
Followers
9.37%
Engagement
+0.5%(+27.1K)
8.8
13
TAMATHA PAUL
@tamathapaul
AKA wu-tam MP for Wellington Central Standing for Wellington NORTH 💫 @nzgreenparty - Auth M Ross, greens.org.nz
New Zealand
168.9K
Followers
3.12%
Engagement
+17.4%(+25.0K)
9.3
14
Aesha Scott
@aesha_jean
Happy Kiwi 🥝 @drinkdrop.au💧 @aeshas_merch 👚 US aesha@key-mgmt.com AU/NZ kloder@profiletalent.com.au
New Zealand
1.2M
Followers
11.00%
Engagement
+2.1%(+24.8K)
8.2
15
History thats useful
@historythatsuseful
-DM for credit/removal -DM for business enquires Get 40% off a Ground News subscription ⬇️
New Zealand
259.7K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+10.2%(+24.1K)
8.2
16
Richard Sidey
@richardsidey
Conservation, Adventure & Wildlife Filmmaker / Photographer / Dad Te Tai-o-Aorere, Aotearoa
New Zealand
91.2K
Followers
0.26%
Engagement
+34.3%(+23.3K)
7.6
17
Beat Street
@beatstreetdrummers
Bucket Drummers | NZ 🇳🇿 For Inquiries email - beatstreetdrummers@gmail.com
New Zealand
735.7K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+3.2%(+23.2K)
9.1
18
Liam Lawson
@liamlawson30
🇳🇿 Formula One driver for @visacashapprb ✉️ teamlawson@caa.com
New Zealand
1.5M
Followers
5.65%
Engagement
+1.4%(+20.9K)
8.5
19
Josh Fraser-Young
@joshpsychology
Psychology student 🧠📚 TikTok (1.4m) jfysocial@gmail.com Get 50% off The 30-Day Nervous System Reset 👇
New Zealand
1.0M
Followers
0.71%
Engagement
+2.1%(+20.7K)
7.2
20
Kane Williamson
@kane_s_w
Professional 🏏 from Tauranga Not on Facebook or Twitter Hakuna matata @coverathletes Commercial Enquiries: kw-info@pitchinternational.com
Tauranga, New Zealand
3.4M
Followers
18.44%
Engagement
+0.5%(+18.4K)
9.3

About This Instagram Influencer Ranking

Discover the most influential creators in New Zealand with our comprehensive ranking of the top 20 influencers on Instagram. This data‑driven analysis identifies the content creators who are shaping conversations, driving trends, and commanding the highest engagement rates in 2026.

Key Insights & Metrics

  • Combined Reach: 120.0M potential impressions across all ranked influencers
  • Total Audience: 420.6M followers collectively following these creators
  • Average Engagement Rate: 4.83% - above industry average
  • Market Coverage: 10,866 total influencers analyzed in this category

Audience Demographics & Reach

The influencers in this ranking reach a diverse, global audience with primary concentrations in:

  • Top Markets: New Zealand, United States of America, Australia
  • Gender Distribution: 57% Female, 43% Male
  • Primary Age Group: 25-34 years (40.3% of audience)
  • Languages: English, Spanish, German

Why This Ranking Matters

For brands and marketers, this ranking provides essential intelligence for:

  • Identifying high-performing influencers for partnership opportunities
  • Understanding audience demographics for targeted campaigns
  • Benchmarking engagement rates and growth metrics
  • Discovering emerging talent with strong growth trajectories
  • Analyzing competitive landscape in this niche

For content creators, these insights help with:

  • Understanding industry benchmarks and performance standards
  • Identifying successful content strategies from top performers
  • Network building and collaboration opportunities
  • Setting realistic growth targets based on peer performance

Methodology & Data Freshness

Our rankings are generated using advanced algorithms that analyze multiple performance indicators:

  • Profile Score: Proprietary metric combining reach, engagement, and growth
  • Engagement Rate: Average interaction rate across recent content
  • Growth Velocity: Month-over-month follower growth and momentum
  • Content Consistency: Posting frequency and audience retention
  • Audience Quality: Authenticity scores and demographic relevance

Data is refreshed weekly to ensure you're always working with the most current information. Last update includes performance data through October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the fastest‑growing creator in New Zealand on Instagram?

Karl Urban (@karlurban) is, as of October 2026, the fastest‑growing creator in New Zealand on Instagram, with +3.6% monthly growth (+201.8K followers).

How many followers did Karl Urban (@karlurban) gain last month?

Karl Urban (@karlurban) gained about 201.8K followers last month (+3.6%).

Who grew more: Karl Urban (@karlurban) or Darshan Patel (@printsculptors)?

Karl Urban (@karlurban) grew more than Darshan Patel (@printsculptors) (201.8K vs 146.6K).

How is Darshan Patel (@printsculptors) performing right now?

Darshan Patel (@printsculptors) is growing at +15.1% (+146.6K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.2 and average engagement of N/A.

How is Sarah Pidgeon (@sarah__pidgeon) performing right now?

Sarah Pidgeon (@sarah__pidgeon) is growing at +14.8% (+86.2K) per month, with a Profile Score of 9.7 and average engagement of 17.31%.

How is Glenn Phillips (@glennphillips236) performing right now?

Glenn Phillips (@glennphillips236) is growing at +7.4% (+81.0K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.7 and average engagement of 12.94%.

How is Simeon Fiapule (@uce_gang) performing right now?

Simeon Fiapule (@uce_gang) is growing at +2.8% (+62.0K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.1 and average engagement of 0.00%.

Who had the higher percentage growth: Darshan Patel (@printsculptors) or Sarah Pidgeon (@sarah__pidgeon)?

Darshan Patel (@printsculptors) leads (15.1% vs Sarah Pidgeon (@sarah__pidgeon) 14.8%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Karl Urban (@karlurban)?

Karl Urban (@karlurban) gained about 201.8K followers last month (+3.6%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Darshan Patel (@printsculptors)?

Darshan Patel (@printsculptors) gained about 146.6K followers last month (+15.1%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Sarah Pidgeon (@sarah__pidgeon)?

Sarah Pidgeon (@sarah__pidgeon) gained about 86.2K followers last month (+14.8%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Glenn Phillips (@glennphillips236)?

Glenn Phillips (@glennphillips236) gained about 81.0K followers last month (+7.4%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Simeon Fiapule (@uce_gang)?

Simeon Fiapule (@uce_gang) gained about 62.0K followers last month (+2.8%).

Is Karl Urban (@karlurban) still a relevant creator?

Yes — Karl Urban (@karlurban) has a Profile Score of 9.0, average engagement of 6.96%, and +3.6% (+201.8K) monthly follower growth, indicating high relevance.

What is a good engagement rate for influencers in New Zealand?

The average engagement rate for this category is 4.83%. Generally, rates above 5.8% are considered excellent, while rates above 3.9% are good. Engagement rates vary by platform, niche, and follower count - micro-influencers often have higher rates than mega-influencers.

How is the Profile Score calculated?

The Profile Score (0-10 scale) is a composite metric that weighs several factors: 40% engagement quality, 25% audience reach, 20% growth momentum, 10% content consistency, and 5% audience authenticity. A score above 7.0 indicates a high-performing influencer, while scores above 8.5 represent elite-tier creators.

Can I use this data for influencer marketing campaigns?

Yes! This ranking is designed to help brands, agencies, and marketers identify potential partnership opportunities. The data provides a starting point for campaign planning, competitor analysis, and market research. For detailed campaign analytics and contact information, consider upgrading to our professional tools.

What does monthly growth percentage mean?

Monthly growth shows the percentage change in followers over the past 30 days. Positive growth (green) indicates gaining followers, while negative growth (red) means losing followers. The number in parentheses shows the absolute follower change. High growth rates often indicate viral content or successful campaigns.

Why should I track influencers in New Zealand?

Location-specific influencer tracking is crucial for targeted marketing campaigns. Local influencers often have higher engagement rates within their geographic area, understand cultural nuances, and can drive better ROI for region-specific products or services. They're particularly valuable for retail, hospitality, and location-based businesses.

How can I improve my ranking as an influencer?

Focus on these key areas: (1) Increase engagement by creating content that encourages comments and shares, (2) Post consistently to maintain audience interest, (3) Use relevant hashtags to expand reach, (4) Collaborate with other creators in your niche, (5) Respond to comments to build community, and (6) Analyze your best-performing content and create similar pieces.

Note: This ranking represents a snapshot of current instagram influence based on publicly available data. Rankings can fluctuate based on content performance, platform algorithm changes, and audience behavior. Use this data as one of several factors in your decision-making process.