Best New Zealand series
Get ready to binge. We've found a collection of must-watch shows from New Zealand, now streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The Beatles: Get Back 2021
The three-part documentary series, compiled from over 60 hours of unseen footage, captures the warmth, camaraderie, and creative genius that defined the legacy of music's most iconic foursome. The series also includes – for the first time in its entirety – The Beatles' final performance at London's Savile Row.
85Dark Tourist 2018
The definition of "tourism" is redefined as New Zealand filmmaker David Farrier sets his sights on the world of dark tourism. From nuclear tourism in Japan to Pablo Escobar-inspired tourism in Columbia to frontier tourism in Turkmenistan, David visits the world’s grisly and offbeat destinations, meeting travelers drawn to them, and the people telling these stories day after day.
71Wellington Paranormal 2018
New Zealand's capital is a hotbed of supernatural activity... so Officers Minogue and O'Leary, who featured in the vampire documentary What We Do In The Shadows, take to the streets to investigate all manner of paranormal phenomena.
73The New Legends of Monkey 2018
Follow a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods on a perilous journey as they attempt to bring an end to a demonic reign of chaos and restore balance to their world. Inspired by the 16th Century Chinese fable “Journey to the West.”
64The Almighty Johnsons 2011
The four Johnson brothers have inherited the powers of the Norse gods. Because the gods lived eons ago, however, time has diluted the powers. The unique ability that each brother possesses isn't very strong, and they still have the same desires and faults that mortals do. Their lives include sibling rivalry, trying to get girls, and hanging out; but they also want to be stronger, and so they embark on a quest to fulfill an ancient prophecy in hope of gaining the full strength of their abilities.
78Cleverman 2016
In the near future, creatures from ancient Aboriginal mythology endowed with extraordinary physical traits have emerged and must coexist with humans. Known as 'Hairypeople' they battle for survival in a world that wants to exploit and destroy them. One young man – The Cleverman – struggles with his own power and the responsibility to unite this divided world, but he must first overcome a deep estrangement from his older brother.
64The Brokenwood Mysteries 2014
In a seemingly quiet country town the newest resident, Detective Inspector Mike Shepherd, finds that murder lurks in even the most homely location.
76The Luminaries 2020
The 19th-century tale of love, murder and revenge as men and women travel across the world to make their fortunes on the wild West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.
63Taskmaster NZ 2020
Jeremy Wells and his loyal assistant Paul Williams torment some of Aotearoa's best, brightest, and most available comedians. Who will earn the Taskmaster's respect and a gold statue of his head?
77After the Party 2023
Penny’s world implodes when she accuses her husband Phil of a sex crime against her daughter’s teenage friend and nobody believes her.
69Creamerie 2021
Creamerie is set in a post-apocalyptic future where a viral plague has wiped out 99% of men, and Earth has become a planet run by and for women. There’ll be plenty to laugh at when three Kiwi-Asian women running a dairy farm encounter – shock, horror – a man!
66Cleopatra 2525 2000
An exotic dancer is frozen in 2001 and unfrozen in 2525 by two female warriors fighting against robots that have taken over the world. The three join forces and try to escape from the underground caves to which humanity has been banished.
63Outrageous Fortune 2005
The Wests are a one-family crime wave with a proud tradition in thievery, larceny and petty crime, until now. When patriarch Wolfgang West is sentenced to four years in jail, his wife Cheryl decides enough is enough; the family are cleaning up their act and going straight. Can the Wests live up to Cheryl's resolve and stay out of crime? It's not easy to be a saint when you have the DNA of a sinner. Outrageous Fortune follows one cheerfully trashy crime family's attempts to stay out of trouble: matriarch Cheryl, determined to save her brood from following in their father's footsteps, eldest son Jethro, an ambitious lawyer-to-be with a few secrets, Jethro's twin Van (identical except in the brains department) who only wants to be like his dad, 18-year-old Pascalle, who wants to be Rachel Hunter, 15-year-old movie buff Loretta, who is blackmailing her teacher, and Grandpa Ted, who may have Alzheimer's - unless he's just playing it up to annoy people. Then there's Detective Sergeant Wayne Judd, the West family nemesis; the Hongs, a wealthy Asian family who may or may not have Triad connections, Caroline Darling, Loretta's deputy principal, who has been having an affair with Jethro since he was a 15-year-old student, Munter, Van's best mate and partner in crime, and Wolf himself, who does not intend to take his wife's sudden wave of righteousness lying down. Outrageous Fortune is a family comedy-drama about the wrong sort of people trying to do the right thing when the rewards for going straight are neither immediate nor bountiful. Outrageous Fortune is a bold, fresh comedy-drama which is by turns bawdy, action-packed, satirical and trashy - but only ever a heartbeat away from reality.
84The Tribe 1999
The Tribe is a New Zealand/British post-apocalyptic fictional TV series primarily aimed at teenagers. It is set in a near-future in which all adults have been wiped out by a deadly virus, leaving the children of the world to fend for themselves. The show's focus is on an unnamed city inhabited by tribes of children and teenagers. It was primarily filmed in and around Wellington, New Zealand. The series was created by Raymond Thompson and Harry Duffin and was developed and produced by the Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Group in conjunction with the UK's Channel 5. It has aired on over 40 broadcast networks around the world.
72The Traitors NZ 2023
Welcome to The Traitors NZ, Paul Henry's devilish little game with one main goal - find and unmask the traitors, the secret saboteurs within the group, before they get you.
70The Dead Lands 2020
Waka, a murdered Māori warrior returned from the Afterlife, and Mehe, a determined young woman, embark on a quest to find who "broke the world" and how to close the breach between the living and the dead.
61Dark City: The Cleaner 2024
By day, Joe is a cleaner at the police station. But by night, he has another line of work - he's a serial killer who's been dubbed The Christchurch Carver. When another woman is murdered, the police suspect The Carver, but Joe knows it wasn't him.
72Down for Love 2022
We all want to love and be loved. From first dates and first times to being friend-zoned, this heartwarming reality show follows several New Zealanders with Down syndrome as they navigate the joys and difficulties of dating and finding true love.
73The Gulf 2019
A detective recovering from amnesia caused by a shocking car accident begins to suspect not everything is as it seems, following the reappearance of a young boy.
65One Lane Bridge 2020
During a murder investigation in Queenstown, an ambitious young detective reawakens a spiritual gift that endangers the case, his career and his life.
61Short Poppies 2014
Journalist David Farrier goes on a quest to small town New Zealand to find the average Kiwi. What he finds in this mockumentary series, is a lovable bunch of people who are anything but ordinary or average. Each week he meets a new local, all played by Rhys Darby.
67Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont Spelling Bee 2023
Comedian Guy Montgomery hosts a spelling competition with a mixture of simple and unconventional rounds.
80The Sounds 2020
Set against the backdrop of the stunning Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand, Maggie and Tom arrive to escape his oppressive family and start a business. When Tom disappears, buried secrets and family plots make paradise less than perfect.
63A Remarkable Place to Die 2024
Anaís Mallory is a smart and savvy homicide investigator who after returning to her hometown, and taking the lead detective position, faces a series of startlingly complex murders with links to her family's tragic history.
68Grand Designs New Zealand 2015
The stories of creative and enterprising Kiwis who are taking on the challenge of building their own unique and inspirational homes. No design is too ambitious, and no obstacle too large in their quest for the perfect house.
72This Is Not My Life 2010
This Is Not My Life is a 2010 New Zealand television mystery thriller which originally aired on Television New Zealand's TV ONE channel on Thursday nights. Set in the 2020s, the show centres on Alec Ross who awakes one morning to find that he doesn't know who or where he is and doesn't recognise his wife or children. The story is set in the fictional town of Waimoana. The series is written by Rachel Lang and Gavin Strawhan and directed by Robert Sarkies and Peter Salmon. Thirteen episodes have been produced. Though the show only lasted one season, it has been announced American network ABC has purchased the series to adapt for an American audience.
69Westside 2015
The story of legendary safe cracker and career criminal Ted West and his firecracker of a wife, Rita. Combining real events and the rich folklore of the West family and associates, this is rollicking history, and a tempestuous romance, set at a time of great social upheaval.
76Under the Vines 2021
Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards star as two city slickers who inherit a failing vineyard in rural New Zealand.. the only problems are that neither of them has ever done a hard days' work- and they despise one another.
61Survivor New Zealand 2017
Kiwis will battle it out for the ultimate prize and title of "Sole Survivor". It's the ultimate test of physical, mental and emotional strength.
65The Casketeers 2018
Francis and Kaiora Tipene are the passionate proprietors of Tipene Funerals. This is a unique opportunity to look behind the scenes of their business and into this little-explored but vital service, where our culture's last taboo is being addressed with dignity and aroha.
75Far North 2023
The (mostly) true story of how the most comically inept gang to ever join forces got half a billion dollars' worth of meth to New Zealand shores - and nearly to market. And they would have got away with it too, if it wasn't for a pesky 70-year-old Māori diesel mechanic and his aqua-aerobics instructing wife!
71Fresh Eggs 2019
This deliciously twisted six-part drama follows a couple's quest for "the good life" that goes wickedly awry.
70Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby 2005
Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby is a satirical New Zealand television series, created and written by Danny Mulheron, Dave Armstrong and Tom Scott. It stars David McPhail as the titular Mr Gormsby, whose politically incorrect attitudes and "old school" teaching style clash and contrast with the environment at the fictional Tepapawai High School. The show pokes fun at the New Zealand education system but also at modern New Zealand social attitudes more generally. Two seasons have so far been made; the first was broadcast in 2005 on TV ONE in New Zealand and the ABC TV in Australia. The second series was shown in New Zealand in 2006 and in Australia, on ABC2, April 2008. DVDs of the series are sold in Australia through the ABC Shop. The program was filmed at two disused schools in the suburbs of Lower Hutt: the first season at Wainuiomata College and the second at Petone College.
83The Block NZ 2012
The Block NZ is the first local version of an international hit renovation-reality series in which four couples compete to renovate four dilapidated houses in a very upmarket suburb – room by room, week by week, challenge by challenge – and sell them at auction for the highest price. The teams can be couples, family members, or friends, and do not need any DIY experience. Once selected, the contestants live and breathe their DIY project for the nine week shoot, living on site in The Block NZ houses. There are no further eliminations, and the winning couple is decided by the toughest judge of all, the real estate market! All four renovated houses go to a live TV auction, with The Block NZ crown going to the couple whose house fetches the highest price on the night!. All the couples receive profits from the sale of their house at the televised auction, and the winners will take home an additional cash prize of $80,000.
67Big Pacific 2017
Plunge into the Pacific with researchers and cinematographers and see the ocean’s rare and dazzling creatures in a way never before seen on television. The show examines an ocean that covers a third of the Earth’s surface.
71Epic NPC Man 2016
Greg The Garlic Farmer lives inside a video game and has to deal with the other mindless NPC's and the crazy player characters.
807 Days 2009
It’s been a big week. There’s been stupid news, big news, unbelievable news and news about us right here in New Zealand. Enter Jeremy Corbett and two teams of New Zealand’s finest comic talent to blast the news out of the water, dissect it, lambast each other and have fun! This is 7 Days, a comedy satire show where our best stand-up comedians aren’t afraid to do what they do best – take the piss out of everything, but mostly all the news of the week and each other.
70Double Parked 2023
Young lesbian couple Nat and Steph are left dumbfounded when a 'disappointing' trip to the IVF clinic and a 'botched' home insemination job actually leaves both women pregnant.
67Worzel Gummidge 1979
Worzel Gummidge is a children's comedy series, produced by Southern Television for ITV, based on the books by Barbara Euphan Todd. Starting in 1979, the programme starred Jon Pertwee in the title role and ran for four series in the UK until 1981. Channel 4 reprised the show in 1987 as Worzel Gummidge Down Under, which was set in New Zealand.
62New Zealand Today 2019
New Zealand Today began on Jono And Ben as a parody of click-bait journalism and modern media culture. The segment went on to become its own 'show within a show' and clips have since racked up hundreds of thousands of views online. New Zealand Today takes Guy Williams around the country checking out strange and unusual goings-on in regional New Zealand.
75Escaping Utopia 2024
Uncover New Zealand’s most extreme religious cult, Gloriavale, and the true stories of people attempting to break free, including current and former members that have never gone on record before. Made with support from NZ on Air. WARNING: Deals with the issue of sexual abuse.
75Vince 2025
Vince, a charming Breakfast TV host, endures a grave trouser malfunction at the children's cancer ward on live TV, and must navigate the aftermath to save his reputation.
100AM 2022
100Madam 2024
Mack Leigh, faced with a philandering husband and a mountain of debt starts up an ethical brothel in small town New Zealand to provide for her family and put a new spin on sex and work.
67Good Grief 2021
Two very different sisters inherit a funeral home - and its eccentric employees - from their koro. While Ellie is determined to uphold her grandfather's legacy, Gwen can't wait to get to Bali and become a DJ. Can they figure out their lives while staring death in the face?
64Step Dave 2014
Dave, a 24-year-old ordinary kiwi slacker, finds his life turned upside down when he meets the girl of his dreams Cara - and her three kids. Step Dave is a light-hearted, feel-good family drama which demonstrates one of the realities of modern life that families come in all different shapes and sizes.
60Married At First Sight 2017
Can science find your soulmate? Find out on Three when our singles get paired up and Married At First Sight, right here in NZ!
66nOOb 2024
Set in Gore, NZ in 2005, n00b follows the social downfall of Nikau Bennett. When Nikau is outed as gay, we see him plummet from cool guy to social outcast. Nikau must traverse the complicated world of high school in search of the confidence to be his true self.
90Shortland Street 1992
The lives and loves of the residents of Ferndale.
57For the Empire 2021
Two troopers, one war, no sh*ts given.
90Beyond the Darklands 2008
Beyond the Darklands is a New Zealand true crime television series that airs on TVNZ's TV One. It is narrated and presented by clinical psychologist Nigel Latta, with each episode focusing on a certain criminal. The show has run for five seasons. Inspiration for the series came from Latta's 2003 book Into the Darklands: Unveiling the Predators Among Us, which dealt with Latta's work as a forensic psychologist. An Australian series of the same name based on the New Zealand show has been running since 2009. The TVNZ series was previously shown in Australia on the ci channel on Foxtel.
72Rhys Darby: Big in Japan 2020
Beloved Kiwi comedian Rhys Darby embarks on a hilarious, off-beat, epic adventure throughout Japan on a mission of personal and professional development. Through unusual and challenging experiences, Rhys develops a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and the ancient art of comedy.
63Rūrangi 2020
After skipping town a decade ago, transgender activist Caz Davis returns to the remote, politically divided dairy community of Rurangi, hoping to reconnect with his estranged father, who hasn't heard from him since before Caz transitioned.
58The Real Housewives of Auckland 2016
The Real Housewives of Auckland gives an exclusive look into the glamorous galas, scintillating scandals, and enormous egos of this group of luxury-loving ladies as they navigate the social scene of the city’s elite, all while juggling their husbands, boyfriends, careers and families. Pedigree and status may grant an automatic invite to the glitziest gatherings in town, but one stiletto out of place could shift anyone on to the blacklist and trigger a social catastrophe. Pecking orders and relationships are at stake when old-money meets new-money meets no-money, and these ladies soon realise who will survive the twists and turns, and who will be left in the dust to lick their wounds.
54Heartbreak Island 2018
Heartbreak Island will set hearts racing and temperatures rising when a group of single guys and girls put everything on the line to find their perfect match and be in the chance of winning $100,000. Beforehand, they have already been able to rate each other online and tick their favorites. On the island it is checked whether there is a match or not. The lucky ones are linked to their favorite date and the less popular ones have to make do with the leftovers. Then the game really starts. Every week, the couples have to do a few challenges together, where the losers threaten to leave the island unless they are saved by their competitors.
64Nothing Trivial 2010
Nothing Trivial is funny, warm and romantic and about people at a crossroads in their lives, particularly when it comes to finding that significant other to love and grow old with. It’s about people trying to find the answers to life’s big questions, while answering a whole lot of small and trivial ones… and winning the bar tab while they’re at it!
66The Great Kiwi Bake Off 2018
From biscuits to bread, pies to pavlovas, 12 amateur Kiwi bakers have their skills put to the test. Will they rise to the challenge?
66Live and Let Dai 2024
One of New Zealand's most loved comedians and broadcasters, Dai Henwood, offers an open and honest look into his courageous fight against cancer.
90ThreeNews 2024
ThreeNews is a New Zealand television news bulletin produced by Stuff, airing on channel Three since 6 July 2024. It is the successor to Newshub Live at 6pm, which ended the day prior.
90Filthy Rich 2016
Three illegitimate children discover they each have a claim to the fortune of one of NZ's wealthiest men, John Truebridge. With so much money on the line, John's legitimate family will do anything to stop these new, unexpected heirs!
66The Blue Rose 2013
When office temp Jane discovers that Rose, the PA she is replacing, died under mysterious circumstances, she joins forces with Rose's best friend Linda to get justice for Rose. Along the way, they find others who need their help, victims of fraud, theft and injustice, and soon Jane, Linda - and a team of unlikely co-workers - are taking on the corporate bullies, fighting for justice and using their unique powers for good.
53Mystic 2020
A group of horse-mad teenagers who are regulars at their local stables on the fictional NZ peninsula of Kauri Point. Worrying incidents surrounding a new industrial development prove the catalyst for a series of events that means the group have to risk everything in order to save their horses.
60Sensing Murder 2006
Sensing Murder is the New Zealand's and Australian psychic investigators on TV2 NZ/AU. Presented by Rebecca Gibney, the 90-minute episodes follow the team of gifted psychics – Australian Deb Webber and Kiwi’s Kelvin Cruickshank and Sue Nicholson – as they attempt to uncover new leads in more of New Zealand’s most intriguing unsolved cases. Each case puts two psychics to the test to see what they can uncover with a team of private investigators analysing their findings. The program recreates the victims’ last known living moments in a dramatic and stylised production. The reconstruction is based on forensic information, extensive research with case experts and family, along with interviews from police who were involved in the investigation. With no prior knowledge about the crime, the psychics reveal astounding new information about the victim, case and perpetrator – groundbreaking information that has the potential to break these cases wide open.
63Mean Mums 2019
Jess must navigate her son's primary school world filled with other mothers keen on advancing their children's futures.
58Head High 2020
This drama charts the rise of high school rugby stars, Mana and Tai. Under the guidance of their step-father coach Vince and police officer mum Renee, the brothers fight to achieve the Kiwi dream of the black jersey.
63Under the Mountain 1981
Under the Mountain is an eight-part television series based on the novel of the same name written by Maurice Gee, first transmitted in 1981 and produced by Television New Zealand. Many of the minor roles in this series were played by people who were at the time well known performers in New Zealand.
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