Taskmaster New Zealand

In the studio, other than while attempting the live task, the contestants sit on a row of chairs in alphabetical order of forename from left to right.

Key

• {{color box|Gold|{{asterisk}}}} Season champion

{{Series overview

|episodes1=10

|color1=#FF9999

|link1=#Series 1 (2020)

|start1={{Start date|2020|10|21|df=y}}

|end1={{End date|2020|12|23|df=y}}

|episodes2=10

|color2=#FFB299

|link2=#Series 2 (2021)

|start2={{Start date|2021|7|7|df=y}}

|end2={{End date|2021|9|8|df=y}}

|episodes3=10

|color3=#ffcc99

|link3=#Series 3 (2022)

|start3={{Start date|2022|7|6|df=y}}

|end3={{End date|2022|9|7|df=y}}

|episodes4=10

|color4=#FFE599

|link4=#Series 4 (2023)

|start4={{Start date|2023|8|14|df=y}}

|end4={{End date|2023|9|12|df=y}}

|episodes5=10

|color5=#FFFF99

|link5=#Series 5 (2024)

|start5={{Start date|2024|8|6|df=y}}

|end5={{End date|2024|9|4|df=y}}

}}

The filming of the tasks was completed in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic caused a nationwide lockdown.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300116540/taskmaster-nz-team-revealed-show-finally-ready-to-go-after-coronavirus-delays|title=Taskmaster NZ team revealed, show finally ready to go after coronavirus delays|first=Chris|last=Schulz|date=27 September 2020|website=Stuff |accessdate=2 December 2020}} The contestants were Angella Dravid, Brynley Stent, Guy Williams, Leigh Hart, and Madeleine Sami. Dravid was the overall winner of the series, with Sami in second, Stent in third, Hart in fourth, and Williams in last place.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/entertainment/taskmaster-nz-reveals-kiwi-comedian-all-star-lineup|title=Taskmaster NZ reveals Kiwi comedian all-star lineup|author=|date=27 September 2020|website=tvnz.co.nz|accessdate=7 December 2020|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030015252/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/entertainment/taskmaster-nz-reveals-kiwi-comedian-all-star-lineup|url-status=dead}}

Greg Davies, the host of the original British version of Taskmaster, appeared as part of the prize task in the seventh episode.

{{Episode table |total_width= |background=#FF9999 |overall = 8 |title = 30 |aux2 = 25 |aux2T = Winner |airdate = 25 |viewers = 10 |country = U.S. |episodes = |viewersT = Viewership{{cite web |title=Imgur - Taskmaster NZ overnight ratings, including +1 |url=https://imgur.com/a/PnCBQXr |website=Imgur |access-date=18 December 2020}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = Gluten Free

|Aux2 = Brynley Stent

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|10|21|df=y}}

|Viewers=

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = A Political Hotcake

|Aux2 = Madeleine Sami

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|10|28|df=y}}

|Viewers=134,100

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = D.A.P.

|Aux2 = Brynley Stent

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|11|4|df=y}}

|Viewers=

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = I'm Queer, I'm Here

|Aux2 = Guy Williams

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|11|11|df=y}}

|Viewers=

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = Unhealth Must Be Dead

|Aux2 = Brynley Stent

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|11|18|df=y}}

|Viewers=

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = The Problem Is Me

|Aux2 = Angella Dravid

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|11|25|df=y}}

|Viewers=129,000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = An Intervention

|Aux2 = Leigh Hart

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|12|2|df=y}}

|Viewers=N/A

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = Sweaty Socks and Depression

|Aux2 = Angella Dravid

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|12|9|df=y}}

|Viewers=108,100

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|Title = Astro Blasters

|Aux2 = Leigh Hart

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|12|16|df=y}}

|Viewers=106,400

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|Title = My Uncle John

|Aux2 = Madeleine Sami

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|12|23|df=y}}

|Viewers=

}}

}}

On 30 May 2021, the contestants for series 2 were named as David Correos, Guy Montgomery, Laura Daniel, Matt Heath, and Urzila Carlson.{{cite web |title=Taskmaster NZ to return with new line up of comedians |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300319416/taskmaster-nz-to-return-with-new-line-up-of-comedians |website=Stuff |access-date=31 May 2021 |date=30 May 2021}} Daniel was the overall winner of the series, with Montgomery as the runner-up, while Correos placed third, Heath placed fourth, and Carlson finished last.

Unlike the first series, ratings were reported in four-week averages rather than individually - and in consolidated ratings as opposed to overnights - but the series' audience generally improved throughout, from an average of 113,800 for the first four episodes,{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - 4–31 July |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=15 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815003423/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/

|archive-date=15 August 2021}} to an average of 165,800 for the last four episodes.{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - 15 August - 11 September |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924005743/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/

|archive-date=24 September 2021}} The tenth and final episode, alone, received 187,700 viewers.{{cite web |title=The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 5 September - 2 October |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016192148/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/

|archive-date=16 October 2021}}

Series 1 contestant Angella Dravid cameoed in the tenth and final episode, as part of a task. MP Chlöe Swarbrick also appears during the first episode as part of the prize tasks.

{{Episode table |total_width= |background=#FFB299 |overall = 8 |title = 30 |aux2 = 25 |aux2T = Winner |airdate = 25 |country = U.S. |episodes =

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = Flight of Fantasy

|Aux2 = Matt Heath

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|7|7|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Heat Stroke

|Aux2 = Laura Daniel

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|7|14|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = At Your Service

|Aux2 = David Correos

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|7|21|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = Unbung

|Aux2 = Guy Montgomery

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|7|28|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = Feel My Bean

|Aux2 = Urzila Carlson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|4|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = Eat Your Asses

|Aux2 = Guy Montgomery

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|11|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = Completing the Set

|Aux2 = Laura Daniel

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|18|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = Judgement Day

|Aux2 = Guy Montgomery

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|8|25|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|Title = Bing Bang Schlong

|Aux2 = Matt Heath

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|9|1|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|Title = A Good Time, Not a Fast Time

|Aux2 = David Correos

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|9|8|df=y}}

}}

}}

{{notelist}}

Funding from NZ On Air for a ten-episode third series was announced in April 2022, having been received months earlier.{{cite web |title=Taskmaster NZ renewed for Season 3 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/panelshow/comments/udjyu3/taskmaster_nz_renewed_for_season_3/i6hypvx/ |website=Reddit |access-date=11 May 2022}} The tasks were written in February 2022. Filming for the studio shows took place in the last week of May.{{cite web |title=I'm in! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/taskmaster/comments/um6j0i/im_in/ |website=Reddit |access-date=11 May 2022}}{{cite web |title=I got invited to be in the studio audience of Taskmaster NZ…. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/taskmaster/comments/um5xdg/i_got_invited_to_be_in_the_studio_audience_of/i7zxztb/?context=3 |website=Reddit | date=10 May 2022 |access-date=11 May 2022}}{{Cite tweet |last= Smith |first= Sam |user=ReelBigSmith |number=1524990620959653889 |date= 13 May 2022|title= May 23 to 27 [...] |access-date= 22 May 2022 }}

The contestants for the series were announced in June 2022 as Chris Parker, Josh Thomson, Justine Smith, Kura Forrester and Paul Ego.{{cite web |last1=Simich |first1=Ricardo |title=Shortland Street star Kura Forrester joins all-new Taskmaster cast |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/shortland-street-star-kura-forrester-joins-all-new-taskmaster-cast/IMATC3LJWFAWCYCY57KJR4XDWA/ |website=NZHerald |access-date=19 June 2022 |date=18 June 2022}} The series premiered on 6{{nbsp}}July 2022; in the run-up to the series, series 1 and 2 were repeated on TVNZ Duke across the two weekends before its launch.{{cite web |title=A Brand-new Cast Of Celebrity Contestants Revealed For Taskmaster NZ Season Three |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU2206/S00143/a-brand-new-cast-of-celebrity-contestants-revealed-for-taskmaster-nz-season-three.htm |website=SCOOP |access-date=19 June 2022 |date=19 June 2022}} Thomson was the overall winner of the series, with Parker as the runner-up, while Forrester placed third, Ego placed fourth, and Smith finished last.

The series launch recorded 145,400 viewers in consolidated viewing figures.{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 12 June - 9 July 2022 |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720231519/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |archive-date=20 July 2022}}

Series{{nbsp}}2 contestant and writer for the show (from this series onwards) David Correos cameoed in the seventh episode as part of a task, as did athlete Eliza McCartney as part of the prize task.

{{Episode table |total_width=70% |background=#ffcc99 |overall = 8 |title = 30 |aux2 = 25 |aux2T = Winner |airdate = 25 |country = U.S. |episodes =

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = F**k Golf

|Aux2 = Josh Thomson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|07|06|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Sauce Tits

|Aux2 = Josh Thomson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|07|13|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = Mexican Lasagna

|Aux2 = Paul Ego

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|07|20|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = Herbs and Spices

|Aux2 = Chris Parker

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|07|27|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = The Prime Minister Thanks You

|Aux2 = Kura Forrester

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|08|03|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = Sweet Navel Orange

|Aux2 = Chris Parker

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|08|10|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = Butt Heavy

|Aux2 = Chris Parker

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|08|17|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = Best Friends

|Aux2 = Chris Parker

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|08|24|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|Title = Well Alright!

|Aux2 = Chris Parker

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|08|31|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|Title = Wet Ass Cutlery

|Aux2 = Josh Thomson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|09|7|df=y}}

}}

}}

{{notelist}}

Funding for a fourth series was confirmed in December 2022. At the time, writer Sam Smith said he had already written at least some of the tasks for the series.{{Cite tweet |last=Smith |first=Sam |user=ReelBigSmith |number=1599536744986443777 |date=4 December 2022 |title=I guess I better start writing some tasks... #TaskmasterNZ #Season4 (JK I've already written a bunch)}}

The cast was revealed on 27{{nbsp}}May 2023, as Dai Henwood, Melanie Bracewell, Ray O'Leary, Sieni Leo'o Olo (Bubbah), and Karen O'Leary.{{cite web |last1=Simich |first1=Ricardo |title=Spy: Dai Henwood and Melanie Bracewell join Taskmaster NZ |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/spy-dai-henwood-and-melanie-bracewell-join-taskmaster-nz |website=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=27 May 2023 |date=27 May 2023}} Ray O'Leary previously appeared on the show as part of a studio task during the third series. Bracewell was the overall winner of the series, with Bubbah as the runner-up, while Ray O'Leary placed third, Henwood placed fourth, and Karen O'Leary finished last.

Studio filming began on 31{{nbsp}}May and lasted a week.{{Cite instagram |user=taskmasternzofficial |postid=CsQEi6RLPgi |date=15 May 2023 |title= Taskmaster New Zealand will return in 2023! ... Filming begins May 31st!}}{{cite web |last1=Newall |first1=Steve |title="I just want to say that I really was trying" – Ray O’Leary talks Taskmaster |url=https://www.flicks.co.nz/features/i-just-want-to-say-that-i-really-was-trying-ray-oleary-talks-taskmaster/ |website=Flicks |date=12 August 2023}} It was confirmed on 1{{nbsp}}August that the series would premiere on 14{{nbsp}}August, with two episodes broadcast weekly.{{Cite instagram |user=tvnzpublicity |postid=CvaoYc-SVnv |date=2 August 2023 |title= We have a date! Taskmaster NZ starts Monday 14 August and continues on Tuesday for a double dose of weekly TM chaos! Only on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+}}

Alex Horne made a cameo in the introduction to the third episode, with the voices of previous contestants Guy Williams, Guy Montgomery and Josh Thomson appearing together in one of the episode's tasks. Thomson also was the director for some location tasks.{{cite AV media |people=Bracewell, Melanie; O'Leary, Ray |date=16 August 2023 |title=Taskmaster NZ Recap, Episodes 1 & 2 |type= |url=https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1900112552 |access-date= |time=53:50 |location= |publisher=Twitch }} Series 2 contestant Matt Heath made an indirect cameo via a task attempt in the eighth episode.

Episodes aired at an earlier timeslot compared to preceding seasons to compete with Three's The Traitors NZ. The first two episodes achieved an average audience of 157,800 viewers in consolidated viewing figures,{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 23 July - 19 August 2023

|url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830132015/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |archive-date=30 August 2023}} with the second set of episodes (the third and fourth) averaging approximately 152,200 viewers,{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 30 July - 26 August 2023

|url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907215735/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |archive-date=7 September 2023}} the third week of episodes (the fifth and the sixth) averaging approximately 173,000 viewers,{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 6 August -2 August [sic] 2023 |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=14 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914221940/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |archive-date=14 September 2023}} the fourth week (episodes seven and eight) averaging approximately 163,900,{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 3 September -30 September 2023 |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=14 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014011010/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |archive-date=14 October 2023}} and the final (episodes nine and ten) averaging 178,300.{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 10 September -7 October 2023 |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=26 October 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026003308/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:gr6PEA2E2PwJ:https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/&hl=en&gl=uk |archive-date=26 October 2023}} Viewership for individual episodes is unavailable due to the unique way television ratings are reported.

{{Episode table |total_width=70% |background=#FFE599 |overall = 8 |title = 30 |aux2 = 25 |aux2T = Winner |airdate = 25 |airdateR = |country = U.S. |episodes =

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = A Love Bomb

|Aux2 = Melanie Bracewell

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|14|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = I'm a Therapist, Not a Greengrocer

|Aux2 = Dai Henwood

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|15|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = Everyone Is Just a Teal Dress

|Aux2 = Melanie Bracewell

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|21|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = More Licky Licky

|Aux2 = Karen O'Leary

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|22|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = Your Hand Can Do a Better Job

|Aux2 = Karen O'Leary

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|28|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = There Had to Be Blood

|Aux2 = Melanie Bracewell

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|29|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = A Pretty Skux Cartwheel

|Aux2 = Bubbah

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|09|04|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = Steroids and Cigarettes

|Aux2 = Ray O'Leary

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|09|05|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|Title = Truffle Pig

|Aux2 = Bubbah

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|09|11|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|Title = Where Is Scorpio?

|Aux2 = Melanie Bracewell

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|09|12|df=y}}

}}

}}

The show's recommission for a fifth series was confirmed in November 2023. Studio filming took place between 4 and 8 June 2024.{{Cite web |title=TaskMaster.Info - Taskmaster NZ: Season 5 |url=https://taskmaster.info/season.php?id=91 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=taskmaster.info}}

The cast was revealed on 20{{nbsp}}July 2024, as Abby Howells, Ben Hurley, Hayley Sproull, Tofiga Fepulea'i, and Tom Sainsbury.{{cite web |last1=Simich |first1=Ricardo |title=Taskmaster NZ: Season five stars revealed - Spy |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/taskmaster-nz-season-five-stars-revealed-spy/7S7JM6MU5JDL7KFKYLG4ZW37IU/ |website=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=20 July 2024 |date=20 July 2024}} The series started airing on 6{{nbsp}}August 2024, again with two episodes broadcast weekly at the same time slot as the season prior, and ended on 4 September 2024 with the 10th episode. Sproull was the overall winner of the series, with Hurley as the runner-up, while Sainsbury placed third, Fepulea'i placed fourth, and Howells finished last.

The first two episodes achieved an average audience of 163,600 viewers in consolidated viewing figures,{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 14 July - 10 August 2024. |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821170813/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |archive-date=21 August 2024}} with the second week of episodes averaging approx. 154,000 viewers.{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 21 July - 17 August 2024. |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=29 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829140622/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |archive-date=29 August 2024}} The third week of episodes averaged approx. 135,100 viewers,{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 28 July - 24 August 2024. |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=5 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905141838/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |archive-date=5 September 2024}} with the fourth week averaging approx. 154,100 viewers,{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 4 - 31 August 2024. |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |date=13 September 2024 |access-date=13 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913104237/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |archive-date=13 September 2024}} and the final, fifth week averaging 145,600 viewers.{{cite web |title=Audience ratings for TV - The 10 highest rating funded television programmes on air between 1 - 28 September 2024.

|url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |website=NZ On Air |access-date=16 October 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241016172028/https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/audience-ratings-tv/ |archive-date=16 October 2024}} Viewership for individual episodes is unavailable due to the unique way television ratings are reported.

As Fepulea'i was ill during the studio record, various previous contestants returned to represent him and conduct the prize and live tasks on his behalf. For episodes 1 and 2, Season 1 contestant Madeleine Sami returned; for episodes 3 and 4, Season 2 contestant Matt Heath; for episodes 5 and 6, Season 3 winner Josh Thomson; for episodes 7 and 8, Season 4 contestant Bubbah; and for episodes 9 and 10, Season 3 contestant Chris Parker. Bubbah also made an appearance in a pre-filmed task in the tenth episode.

{{Episode table |total_width=70% |background=#FFFF99 |overall = 8 |title = 30 |aux2 = 25 |aux2T = Winner |airdate = 25 |airdateR = |country = U.S. |episodes =

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = A Long Denouement

|Aux2 = Abby Howells

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|08|6|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Slightly Sucked Pasta

|Aux2 = Abby Howells

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|08|7|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = The Lamp Left Me on Read

|Aux2 = Tom Sainsbury

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|08|13|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = Having a Flare-Up

|Aux2 = Ben Hurley

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|08|14|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = A Marvellous Tool

|Aux2 = Hayley Sproull

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|08|20|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = The One Where Rachel Dies in Childbirth

|Aux2 = Tofiga Fepulea'i

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|08|21|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = Sierra Echo Xylophone

|Aux2 = Tom Sainsbury

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|08|27|df=y}}

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = A Genie Comes If You Rub It

|Aux2 = Ben Hurley

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|08|28|df=y}}

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|Title = An Absolute Pedant

|Aux2 = Abby Howells

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|09|03|df=y}}

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|Title = Oh Baby It's Elegance

|Aux2 = Tofiga Fepulea'i

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|09|4|df=y}}

}}

}}

Funding from NZ On Air for the first series was announced in September 2019.{{cite web |title=More laugh therapy ordered for New Zealanders |url=https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/news/more-laugh-therapy-ordered-new-zealanders/ |website=NZOnAir |access-date=15 May 2022 |date=27 September 2019}} Pre-recorded tasks are filmed at a mansion in North Auckland referred to as the "Taskmaster House" or "Taskmaster Ranch", which is actually a boutique events venue marketed under the name "HUs", situated between the communities of Riverhead and Coatesville to the north-west of Auckland, adjacent to Riverhead Forest.{{Cite web|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/14-08-2023/a-strange-strange-morning-at-the-taskmaster-nz-house|title=A strange, strange morning at the Taskmaster NZ house|first=Stewart|last=Sowman-Lund|date=14 August 2023|website=The Spinoff }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Taskmaster+NZ+House+45+Croft+Lane,+Riverhead+0793,+New+Zealand/HUs+-+Boutique+Venue+&+Accommodation+Croft+Lane,+Riverhead,+New+Zealand/@-36.7267721,174.6127815,19z/|title=Taskmaster NZ House to HUs - Boutique Venue & Accommodation|website=Google Maps}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hus.nz/journal/choosing-a-bo|title=Discover the Magic HUs: Your Ideal Outdoor and Indoor Film Location in Auckland|website=HUs Boutique Auckland Venue}} The same venue is used for tasks in Taskmaster Australia.

Prior to the filming of the studio shows for the first series, a "warm-up episode" was shot with no studio audience – internally called "Episode Zero" – that allowed Wells and Williams to practice their roles, featuring some tasks that were going to be cut from the series proper.{{cite podcast

| url= https://open.spotify.com/episode/2fDYgbCKYykkVo2V4HOVqk?si=b134f3a0e6164151 | title=Ep 48. Paul Williams — S12 Ep.2 | work=Taskmaster: The Podcast| publisher=Spotify | first1=Ed | last1=Gamble | first2=Paul | last2=Williams | date=30 September 2021 | time=13:48-14:47 | access-date=15 May 2022 }} The studio shows were originally scheduled to film at South Pacific Pictures in Auckland in late August 2020, but were later cancelled{{cite web |title=Taskmaster New Zealand: CANCELLED |url=https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2020/taskmaster-new-zealand/auckland |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220516000741/https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2020/taskmaster-new-zealand/auckland|website=EventFinda.co.nz |access-date=16 May 2022 |archive-date=16 May 2022}} – Auckland was moved into level 3 COVID-19 restrictions shortly beforehand – and were delayed into September.{{cite web |title=I went to a Taskmaster NZ Filming! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/taskmaster/comments/iy0e5t/i_went_to_a_taskmaster_nz_filming/ |website=Reddit |access-date=16 May 2022 |date=23 September 2020}} More relaxed measures were in place at time of filming, but mandated that Wells was spaced apart from the series' contestants in the studio, which Wells later remarked felt "pretty weird", and was an "unusual experience".{{cite web |last1=Nealon |first1=Sarah |title=Why Jeremy Wells likes inspiring fear in Taskmaster contestants |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/125530103/why-jeremy-wells-likes-inspiring-fear-in-taskmaster-contestants |website=Stuff |access-date=21 May 2022 |date=24 June 2021}}

The second series was confirmed in March 2021,{{cite web |title=TVNZ 2 Orders More of Taskmaster and Comedy Gala |url=https://www.screenscribe.net/tvnz-2-orders-more-of-taskmaster-and-comedy-gala/ |website=ScreenScribe.tv |access-date=15 May 2022 |date=5 March 2021}} with the lineup confirmed that May. Pre-production took four weeks at the beginning of 2021, between writers Sam Smith and Williams, before moving from a studio onto Zoom after the February Auckland lockdown was put in place. During the series, to ensure contestants were unable to decipher, and thus prepare for, what a task could be prior to filming, tasks were given nicknames should they be written on call sheets.{{cite web |last1=Schulz |first1=Chris |title=Taskmaster NZ reveals the secret to making comedians feel uncomfortable |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300346161/taskmaster-nz-reveals-the-secret-to-making-comedians-feel-uncomfortable |website=Stuff |access-date=15 May 2022 |date=2 July 2021}} One task during the series was cut after Carlson broke her collarbone in an attempt to complete it.{{cite podcast | url= https://open.spotify.com/episode/3bOGT0S5T7QzqfgP7CAaQk?si=5a115f6efaab4a60 | title= Paul Williams | work=Taskmaster: The People's Podcast | publisher=Spotify | first1=Lou | last1=Sanders | first2=Jack | last2=Bernhardt | first3=Paul | last3=Williams | date=20 May 2022 | time=17:09-18:23 | access-date=21 May 2022 }}

Justine Smith, speaking of her experience filming the third series, noted that the entire process is very different to that of her other usual television appearances, and that "taking part in Taskmaster requires a different skill set"; she commented that it was "very secretive", with contestants not privy to witnessing tasks being set up and are unaware of "what's happening in advance". Smith recalled that she was "taken in – literally almost with a hood over [her] head – to a room [you're] not allowed to leave" before "[you] come out[,] do the task and go straight back into [your] room"; the lack of a reaction to the performance in a task troubled Smith, who commented "[y]ou turn around and walk away, [it being] a comedian's worst nightmare to not have someone tell you it was OK or laugh."{{cite web |last1=Nealon |first1=Sarah |title=Taskmaster NZ duo eye up the opposition |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/129035245/taskmaster-nz-duo-eye-up-the-opposition |website=Stuff |access-date=3 July 2022 |date=23 June 2022}}

Coming up with tasks, writers Smith and Williams "abide by strict rules". Tasks have to be submitted to and approved by producers before being presented to contestants. One task from the first series ("Make the best desert") was almost cut from broadcast because all of the contestants misread it (as "Make the best dessert"), but Stent's reaction when she re-read the task and understood it properly – which Williams called one of "the season's best moments" – convinced the producers to retain it.

Taskmaster New Zealand receives funding from NZ On Air for one season a year.

In a press release announcing the show's recommission, it was reported that the first series increased TVNZ 2's audience by 19% among 25-54s and more than doubled the channel's audience aged 15–34, "reach[ing] more people than any other local comedy series on air in 2020".

In {{abbr|consolidated viewership|viewership that contains on-demand/catch-up viewing}}, the show - specifically its second series - was TVNZ2's tenth most popular show among adults aged 18–49 - the channel's target demographic - during the latter six months of 2021. In turn, for the year to March 2023, the show's third series was TVNZ2's fifth most popular show among that audience.{{cite web |title=TVNZ2 | Our Brands |url=https://sales.tvnz.co.nz/our-brands/tvnz-2/ |website=TVNZ Sales |access-date=6 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106181927/https://sales.tvnz.co.nz/our-brands/tvnz-2/ |archive-date=6 January 2024}} The fourth series was TVNZ2's second most popular show in 2023 among 18-49s.{{cite web |title=TVNZ2 | Our Brands |url=https://sales.tvnz.co.nz/our-brands/tvnz-2/ |website=TVNZ Sales |access-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217184508/https://sales.tvnz.co.nz/our-brands/tvnz-2/ |archive-date=17 February 2024}}

The first episode received mixed to positive reviews from critics. James Croot of Stuff claimed the series was "off to a terrific start" and "you might just need to put an hour aside for the next few weeks",{{cite web |last1=Croot |first1=James |title=TVNZ's Taskmaster NZ, Netflix's Queen's Gambit among great new shows to stream |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300118349/tvnzs-taskmaster-nz-netflixs-queens-gambit-among-great-new-shows-to-stream |website=Stuff |access-date=21 May 2022 |date=26 October 2020}} in contrast to comments of colleague Darren Bevan, who wrote that "while Taskmaster NZ hasn't romped away with a decisive victory, it has done enough to secure a technical win and an appointment for a second week's viewing". Bevan did offer praise, towards Paul Williams' role as the assistant, calling him "one of the show's MVPs before even 30 minutes of the first episode have passed".{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/123146921/taskmaster-nz-does-it-live-up-to-the-hype-of-my-favourite-show-or-ruin-it-forever|title=Taskmaster NZ: Does it live up to the hype of my favourite show or ruin it forever?|first=Darren|last=Bevan|date=22 October 2020|website=Stuff |accessdate=2 December 2020}} Stewart Sowman-Lund of The Spinoff agreed that Williams "is well-suited to the role" of the assistant. Sowman-Lund praised the first episode stating that "Taskmaster NZ starts high in the sky – and long may it continue."{{cite web|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/21-10-2020/taskmaster-nz-proves-we-can-do-panel-comedy-as-well-as-the-brits/|title=Taskmaster NZ proves we can do panel comedy as well as the Brits|first=Stewart|last=Sowman-Lun|date=21 October 2020|website=The Spinoff |accessdate=2 December 2020}} Karl Puschmann, writing for The New Zealand Herald did not give the show as favourable a review, stating that "it's okay. There's some good gags and it's great to see our comedians on screen. But still, it's not for me."{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/karl-puschmann-is-taskmaster-nz-up-to-the-task/UQLPH27YH2352QPRVS5PRC6HFA/|title=Karl Puschmann: Is Taskmaster NZ up to the task?|first=Karl|last=Puschmann|date=30 October 2020|website=The New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2 December 2020}}

For the first episode of the second series, James Croot of Stuff – in contrast to his more positive comments regarding the first series – noted that, regarding the dynamic between Wells and Williams, "[t]he former still seems unsure of their relationship, the power dynamic less clear-cut than between the original's Greg Davies and Alex Horne", and that while some of the tasks "offer[ed] plenty of entertaining laughs", others were not "quite as successful". He concluded by admitting that "while Taskmaster NZ is trying to balance creating its own identity with maintaining the joy of the original, it's not always succeeding".{{cite web |last1=Croot |first1=James |title=Taskmaster NZ: TVNZ's second stab at the hit Brit series makes polarising start |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/stuff-to-watch/300351118/taskmaster-nz-tvnzs-second-stab-at-the-hit-brit-series-makes-polarising-start |website=Stuff |access-date=16 May 2022 |date=8 July 2021}} The Spinoff{{'}}s Stewart Sowman-Lund was more positive, praising the entire series as "truly hilarious", and that its contestants "will surely go down in the annals of Taskmaster history as one of the best casts the show has ever seen".{{cite web |last1=Sowman-Lund |first1=Stewart |title=Goodbye Taskmaster NZ, the show that saved my lockdown |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/09-09-2021/goodbye-taskmaster-nz-the-show-that-saved-my-lockdown |website=The Spinoff |access-date=21 May 2022 |date=9 September 2021}}

Taskmaster New Zealand was made available to stream in Sweden through SVT Play in December 2022 under the local name {{lang|sv|Bäst i test Nya Zeeland}},{{cite web | url=https://www.svtplay.se/bast-i-test-nya-zeeland | title=Bäst i test Nya Zeeland }} is able to be viewed in Norway through Discovery+ (where it is called {{lang|no|Kongen befaler New Zealand}}),{{cite web |title=Taskmaster NZ |url=https://taskmaster.info/show.php?id=8 |website=Taskmaster.Info |access-date=22 August 2023}} and aired in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 starting 28{{nbsp}}August 2023 with episodes subsequently made available on Channel 4's streaming service by the same name.{{cite web |title=Taskmaster NZ S1 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-lrt8g9/taskmaster-nz-season-1/?episode=b-h21n4w |website=Radio Times |access-date=22 August 2023}} The first four seasons are also available on the Taskmaster [https://www.youtube.com/@Taskmaster/featured YouTube channel].{{Cite web |title=Taskmaster - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@Taskmaster/playlists |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=www.youtube.com}}

It is available for streaming on Taskmaster SuperMax+, a subscription streaming platform dedicated to hosting Taskmaster content able to be accessed internationally.{{Cite tweet |last= Horne |first= Alex |user=AlexHorne |number=1499793883554795524 |date= 4 March 2022|title= And yes, the plan is that EVERYTHING will go there eventually - Taskmaster New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Croatia etc etc. That's the plan. All in one place. But will also be on YouTube etc. It's for those who want an ad-free Taskmaster home. |access-date= 21 May 2022 }}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/taskmaster-nz/ Taskmaster NZ at TVNZ.co.nz]
• {{IMDb title|tt13544772|Taskmaster NZ}}
• [https://taskmaster.info/show.php?id=8 Taskmaster NZ at TaskMaster.Info]

{{Taskmaster}}

Category:New Zealand game shows

Category:2020 New Zealand television series debuts

Category:New Zealand panel games

Category:2020s New Zealand television series

Category:Taskmaster (TV series)

Category:New Zealand television series based on British television series

Category:Television shows funded by NZ on Air

Category:TVNZ 2 original programming

Category:New Zealand English-language television shows

Category:New Zealand comedy television series