In the format popularised by National Geographic, it focuses on the biodiversity, geography, and culture of New Zealand, Antarctica, and nearby Pacific Islands.

[1] Warne, who served as editor for 15 years, had a Master's degree in marine biology, which informed the magazine's early focus on conservation and natural history.

[4] In 2014 the magazine marked 25 years in print by digitising its entire back catalogue and making it available free to subscribers.

[8] In September 2022, White took a sabbatical to study at Columbia University on a Fulbright scholarship, and was replaced by Catherine Woulfe.

Increasingly the coverage of the magazine has shifted from natural history to social issues such as methamphetamine usage and the Christchurch mosque shootings.

[6][11] New Zealand Geographic features high-quality photography, and attracts wildlife, landscape, and social commentary photographers.

Since 2006 the magazine has run a Photographer of the Year competition for news and editorial photography, open to amateurs and professionals, with categories that include wildlife, landscape, photo-story, built environment, and society.