Consultation is being being held with staff working on Shortland Street, which is now being screened three nights a week instead of five.
TVNZ confirmed to 1News that South Pacific Pictures, the producers of the long-running soap opera, had “entered into consultation with individuals who are part of the Shortland Street production and on permanent employment contracts”.
A spokesperson said the proposal came after changes to the format of the show.
Shortland Street had aired five episodes a week since 1992, but in 2025 returned to screens on a three episode a week schedule.
“We’ve made changes to Shortland Street’s format to enable the show to continue in 2025. This includes reshaping the series into a three-episode-a-week format. The result is a shorter production period and the need for South Pacific Pictures to now make changes to cast and crew on permanent employment terms in line with this,” the statement said.
TVNZ said the 2025 season was in the top five shows streaming on TVNZ+ and that it was the second-most watched programme on TVNZ2.
“It’s a key title in TVNZ’s content line up and we’re already in discussions with SPP on plans for a potential 2026 season.”
Last year the Government tweaked eligibility criteria for the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate for local shows “with strong industry and cultural value, like our longest-running drama Shortland Street”.
That meant NZ On Air could approve a “$3m injection of public media funding to help secure another year of the show”, chief executive Cameron Harland said at the time.
