The Block NZ

The Block NZ
GenreReality
Created by
  • Julian Cress
  • David Barbour
Presented by
JudgesSee list of judges
Country of originNew Zealand
No. of seasons10
No. of episodes417
Production
ProducerAaron Dolbel[2]
Production locations
Running time60 – 120 minutes
Production companyWarner Bros. International Television Production
Original release
NetworkThree
Release4 July 2012 (2012-07-04) –
9 October 2022 (2022-10-09)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

The Block NZ is a New Zealand reality television series based on the popular Australian series The Block. The first season premiered on Three on 4 July 2012.

The show is hosted by former New Zealand cricketer Mark Richardson and Shelley Ferguson,[1][non-primary source needed] while Peter Wolfkamp serves as site foreman. It follows four couples as they compete against each other to completely renovate, room by room, four neighbouring houses in Auckland,[5][6] and then sell them at auction. Each couple keeps any profit made on the house, and the winner receives a bonus cash sum.[6]

The current main sponsors are paint manufacturer Resene, car manufacturer Suzuki, flooring retailer Flooring Xtra, and fast food chain Subway. Throughout seasons 1–2, car manufacturer Mazda was also a main sponsor, but for season 3, the sponsorship was awarded to car manufacturer Honda.[7] Other previous sponsors include Bunnings Warehouse, BP's Wild Bean Cafe, AMI Insurance and Pita Pit.

The series premiered in Australia on 9Go! on 12 August 2012.

The eleventh series, which was set to air in 2023, was originally postponed to 2024 due to a "challenging house market" and the dismal results of the 10th season.[8][9] However in May 2024, despite the 11th season being almost ready for filming, Warner Bros. Discovery cancelled the series due to the network restructure.[10][11][12]

  1. ^ a b "The Block NZ's photo". Facebook.com. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2014. Big news – the hosts of The Block NZ have been announced! We've got sports star turned broadcaster Mark Richardson as the show host and the gorgeous Shannon Ryan will join him as the challenge presenter. Bring It On!
  2. ^ Smithies, Grant (25 June 2017). "The Questionnaire: The Block NZ's Aaron Dolbel". i.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  3. ^ "The Block gears up for Auckland inner-city sites". The New Zealand Herald. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  4. ^ "The Block 2016: The 'secret' location is out". 22 February 2016.
  5. ^ Hallahan, Marnie (31 May 2012). "Bargains on The Block". North Shore Times – via Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  6. ^ a b "About The Block NZ". tv3.co.nz. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  7. ^ Springall, Lesley. "The Block NZ – leveraged to perfection". Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  8. ^ Thomson, Lucy (30 November 2022). "House Rules NZ coming in 2023 as The Block NZ postponed due to 'challenging' housing market". Newshub. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  9. ^ Hawkes, Colleen (30 November 2022). "The Block NZ is postponed due to 'challenging housing market'". Stuff. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  10. ^ Hawkes, Colleen (14 May 2024). "The Block NZ cancelled as homes near completion". Stuff. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  11. ^ Bevan, Darren (14 May 2024). "The Block NZ cancelled, won't return for new season". News Hub. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  12. ^ Knox, David (14 May 2024). "New Zealand axes local version of The Block". TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 May 2024.