TVNZ adapts ITV Studios’ The Chase for Kiwi market with a plot twist

TVNZ is adapting ITV Studios format The Chase for the New Zealand market with the antipodean twist of filming it in Australia.

Nevak Rogers

The pubcaster said that in collaboration with ITV Studios Australia, production has been greenlit for a special four-episode season of The Chase New Zealand, with casting of Kiwi contestants underway and filming scheduled for Sydney, Australia.

The Chase New Zealand, represents the 22nd global version of the format. The network has yet to confirm the host and premiere date of the New Zealand edition.

TVNZ said that the original version of The Chase performed well for the network in 2024 and the “opportunity to film a four-episode special in The Chase Australia’s studio presents a unique chance to bring New Zealanders in on the action.”

Speaking to C21 Media earlier in the year on the network’s forthcoming slate, TVNZ’s chief content officer, Nevak Rogers said that given the current financial pressures facing the production sector, international collaboration was becoming pivotal, particularly with neighbouring Australia.

“We’re doing a lot with Australia at the moment and whether it’s ITV or Warner Bros, or any of the big studios, they are looking for ways to get better bangs for their bucks. Like Taskmaster NZ and Australia versions, we have got two or three other examples in the pipeline of shows we’re looking to work across the two markets. Shows like Australia’s Alone do really well for us, particularly on TVNZ+ and so we work alongside the studio and broadcaster to see if we can get Kiwis cast in some of those roles to have even more relevance in this territory. We’re having constant conversations across the ditch to find ways to help one another and leverage the resources,” Rogers said.