1. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001)
While the show was technically an American one, it was filmed on location in New Zealand and featured Kiwi actress Lucy Lawless as Xena. The show has since formed a cult following, with many fans continuing to talk about it today, despite it finishing in 2001.
2. Shortland Street (1992-)
Not many Kiwi shows are older than you are, but this legendary soap opera is, and it’s still going! With daily episodes, there’s plenty of time to catch an episode after work! Best thing is, you can jump in at any time and quickly get to know the characters, just come prepared for drama!
3. What Now? (1981-)
Known for gunge and crazy hats, the show has gone through numerous hosts in its long run, but it has maintained its 8am Sunday morning slot since the early 90’s. Its NZ’s longest running kids show for good reason!
4. Country Calendar (1966-)
NZ’s most beloved tv series and an iconic part of the television programme, Country Calendar is NZ’s longest running tv series. This show covers the people of rural New Zealand, giving an insight into the lives of people who make a living on the land across the country. Watch the show on YouTube, TVNZ1 or OnDemand today!
5. Fair Go (1977-)
One of NZ’s longest running and highest rated shows, Fair Go is a show that investigates consumer issues, viewer complaints and “go into battle for as little as one cent”.
6. Te Karere (1982-)
This is a Māori news show that has been running on TVNZ 1 since 1982. It is broadcast on 3:55pm from Monday to Friday and repeated 1:05am and 5:35am the following day. All the episodes are entirely in Māori and the show covers all current affairs that are relevant to Māori people across New Zealand.
7. Police Ten 7 (2002-)
Sometimes even the New Zealand police need help solving crimes. Previously hosted by Graham Bell, now hosted by Rob Lemoto, this programme provides a clear picture of the sort of things the New Zealand police deal with on a daily/nightly basis. It has also spawned some legendary moments in New Zealand pop culture, including the infamous “always blow on the pie” clip.
8. Outrageous Fortune (2005-2010)
A highly acclaimed NZ comedy and crime drama series which tells the tale of the fictional West family, a family of seven career criminals living in West Auckland. The show ran for six seasons and was a massive hit with Kiwi audiences due to its relatable humour and cultural references. It was created by James Griffin and Rachel Lang, Kiwi writing royalty.
9. Westside (2015-)
Rachel Lang and James Griffin combined again to create the spinoff and prequel of Outrageous Fortune. Westside once again features the West family and friends but is set a few decades earlier and references key New Zealand cultural events throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s. The programme is up to its fourth season, and episodes will be shown on TV3 every Monday. The first episode premiered on the 9th of July 2018.
10. 20/20 (1993-2003) (2005-2014) (2015-)
A show that takes most of its material and presentation style from US news network ABC’s 20/20, the current affairs television series started its original run on TV3 before switching to TV2 in 2005. From 2015 onwards, no more local content was made for the show. It is said to be returning in 2018.
11. 1 News at Six (1969-)
For almost 50 years this has been New Zealand’s premier news show, bringing Kiwis all the days current events (including sports and weather reports). The show began as NZBC Network News before being renamed News in 1975 when the NZBC was dissolved. In 1978 it was renamed Network News and moved to its 6pm slot in 1988. In 1989 it was changed to One Network News (highlighting the competition with TV3’s 3 National News. In 1995 the news again became 1 hour instead of 30 minutes (still screening at the now familiar time of 6pm). The programme has aired on TVNZ 1 as the network’s flagship hour-long news bulletin since 1999, when it became One News. Finally, the show rebranded to 1 News in 2016 when the network was renamed TVNZ 1.
12. The Almighty Johnsons (2011-2013)
With many fans believing that the show was cancelled way to soon, this series tells the story of a group of New Zealand brothers who inherit the powers of Norse Gods.
13. Bro Town (2004-2009)
A hilarious Kiwi comedy created and voiced by David Fane, Mario Gaoa, Shimpal Lelisi and Oscar Kightley (also known as the ‘Naked Samoan’ theatre group). 5 seasons, 100 staff, hours and hours of animation – one epic Kiwi show. Join Vale, Valea, Sione, Jeff da Māori and Mack as they interact with the rest of their Morningside town and special Kiwi guests.
14. Piha Rescue (2005-2017)
Another long-running NZ television show about the lifeguards who patrol the notoriously dangerous Piha beach on Auckland’s West Coast. The show finished last year, but the education it provided people about water safety in New Zealand, and its legacy of promoting the good work done by Kiwi lifesavers will not be forgotten.
15. Wellington Paranormal (2018-)
A brand-new show developed by What We Do in the Shadows co-directors Taika Waititi (who also directed Boy, Thor Ragnarok and Hunt for the Wilderpeople) and Jemaine Clement (also of Flight of the Conchords). The show has generated a lot of hype, purely because of the two creators who lend their minds to its humour and the success of the movie that pre-dated it. Expect monsters, vampires and human police officers trying to do their best to contain them. It premiered on July 11th, 2018 on TVNZ 2.
Huge thanks to TVNZ, TV3, NZ On Air and South Pacific Pictures for helping to create and produce such amazing TV shows in this country!
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