OpenAI’s Sora has claimed the top spot on Apple’s New Zealand App Store, marking a significant achievement for the AI video generation tool in the local market.
The app, which allows users to create videos from text descriptions, has surged past popular social media, gaming, and entertainment apps to reach number one. This represents a notable shift in consumer interest toward AI-powered creative tools.
Sora’s rise in New Zealand comes at a time of growing mainstream adoption of generative AI applications. The app enables users to generate high-quality video content simply by typing what they want to see, making professional-grade video creation accessible to anyone with a smartphone. 
Local content creators and small businesses have been quick to embrace the technology. Many are using Sora for everything from social media content and marketing materials to creative experimentation and rapid prototyping of video concepts.
The New Zealand launch follows Sora’s successful rollout in other markets, where it has similarly captured strong user interest. OpenAI has positioned the tool as a way to democratize video creation, removing traditional barriers like expensive equipment and technical expertise.
Industry observers note that New Zealand’s strong creative sector and tech-savvy population may have contributed to the enthusiastic reception. The country has a history of early adoption when it comes to digital tools and creative technology.
The app’s success also reflects broader trends in the AI application market, where tools that offer practical, creative functionality are gaining traction with everyday users beyond tech enthusiasts and early adopters.
OpenAI has not yet released specific download figures for the New Zealand market.
