One Question Quiz
The hosts of, from left< 60 Seconds, Celebrity Treasure Island and Snackmasters NZ, with a guest appearance from Block NZ host Mark Richardson (Image: Tina Tiller)
The hosts of, from left< 60 Seconds, Celebrity Treasure Island and Snackmasters NZ, with a guest appearance from Block NZ host Mark Richardson (Image: Tina Tiller)

Pop CultureFebruary 21, 2022

All the NZ reality shows to look forward to in 2022

Staff writer
The hosts of, from left< 60 Seconds, Celebrity Treasure Island and Snackmasters NZ, with a guest appearance from Block NZ host Mark Richardson (Image: Tina Tiller)
The hosts of, from left< 60 Seconds, Celebrity Treasure Island and Snackmasters NZ, with a guest appearance from Block NZ host Mark Richardson (Image: Tina Tiller)

If you’re a reality TV fan, 2022 is shaping up to be your year. 

A huge wave of homegrown reality TV will wash up on our shores in 2022, bringing with it the revival of old favourites and the debut of brand new content. Masterchef NZ and Heartbreak Island are back, overseas hits Lego Masters and Snackmasters get the New Zealand treatment, and there’s plenty of new shows to enjoy, including TVNZ’s talent show 60 Seconds and The Ex-Best Thing, a fresh twist on a dating show.

It’s February already, so there’s no time to waste. Let’s dive into the long list of New Zealand-made reality shows that we can look forward to sometime in 2022.

New in 2022:

60 Seconds (coming soon to TVNZ)

60 Seconds’ Pax Assadi, Tegan Yorwarth, Clint Roberts and Laura Daniels (Photo: TVNZ)

“No need for introductions. No time to warm up. There are just moments to impress. And every beat counts!” reads TVNZ’s promo for this new talent show. Hosted by ZM’s Clint Roberts, contestants have one minute to impress three celebrity scouts (Pax Assadi, Laura Daniel and Tegan Yorwarth), who are bidding to manage the most entertaining variety act. The audience vote for the winning performer, with a share of $200,000 up for grabs.

The Ex-Best Thing (TVNZ)

Five ex-couples find each other new romantic partners in this dating show, because nobody knows you better than your ex. “Will our singles strike a new match thanks to their ex, or could they relight an old flame?” Prepare yourselves, this could get awkward.

Lego Masters NZ (TVNZ)

Dai Henwood
Dai Henwood has been confirmed as the host of Lego Masters NZ. Image composite: Tina Tiller

Dai Henwood hosts the Kiwi version of the popular Lego Masters format, where teams of Lego fanatics use their skills and imagination to create the wildest and most original creations. Thoughts and prayers for the brave staffer who has to put the 2.5 million bricks back in the Lego pit at the end of each episode.

Tracked (Three)

Three’s new survival series sends eight teams on an adventure race through New Zealand’s most extreme and rugged terrain. Will they reach the evacuation zone before being caught by a team of elite trackers? It’s a game of cat and mouse set amongst our remotest landscapes, so what could go wrong?

Snackmasters NZ (TVNZ)

Kim Crossman and Tom Sainsbury present Snackmasters NZ (Photo: TVNZ)

Based on the UK version, Snackmasters NZ is “a cooking challenge like no other”. Anyone who remembers Ready Steady Cook knows that’s a bold claim, but each week two famous chefs compete to make perfect replicas of one of New Zealand’s favourite snacks. Kim Crossman and Tom Sainsbury host.

Mysterious Dating Show That Might or Might Not Be Love Island (TVNZ)

“A group of sexy singles head to a tropical island getaway in the search of love, or like, and a massive cash prize! But who will have the strategy to make it in this competition?” reads TVNZ’s mysterious, as yet untitled, dating show. Sounds like Love Island, could be Love Island, please let it be Love Island. Actor Shavaughn Ruakere hosts.

Back for more in 2022: 

Celebrity Treasure Island (TVNZ)

cti
Matt Chisholm and Bree Tomasel from Celebrity Treasure Island. Image: TVNZ

Happy days, the poo cave is back. TVNZ’s top rating reality show returns with a fresh bunch of celebrity castaways battling it out on the beach to raise money for their chosen charities.

Masterchef NZ (Three)

Last on our screens in 2015, the cooking competition that made Nadia Lim and Chelsea Winter household names is revived for 2022.

Dancing with the Stars (Three)

Nadia Lim on Dancing with the Stars in 2019. (Photo: Three)

After two years of being postponed due to Covid-19, let’s hope it’s third time lucky for this season of DWTS.

Heartbreak Island NZ (ThreeNow)

A cross between Love Island and The Krypton Factor, Heartbreak Island sees singles pair up for a series of wacky challenges in the hope of avoiding elimination and finding love. Three promises this season will be “riskier with glossier challenges and cunning off-site twists”, and will screen exclusively on ThreeNow.

Ru Paul’s Drag Race: Down Under (TVNZ)

The top four of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under 2021: Kita Mean, Karen from Finance, Art Simone and Scarlet Adams. (Photo: TVNZ)

The Emmy award-winning series returns for a second season to find out which Australasian queen has the most charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.

The Block NZ: Redemption (Three)

The Block’s tenth season sees the return of four teams from past years, who want to redeem themselves by winning more money than last time.

The Masked Singer NZ (Three)

Who is it, who is it, who is it underneath the mask?

Follow The Real Pod on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast provider.

Keep going!