TVNZ has announced the end of the long-running crime television show, Ten 7 Aotearoa (formerly known as Police Ten 7), after 20 years of captivating New Zealand audiences.
The much-loved show will be farewelled with three one-hour specials planned from April on TVNZ 2 to highlight its legacy. The show has had 750 episodes and 29 seasons, giving viewers insight into the work of the New Zealand Police.
“Ten 7 is one of New Zealand’s longest-running and most successful factual TV shows. It has made an immense contribution to TVNZ over its 20-year run,“ TVNZ’s Director of Content Cate Slater says.
“The topical nature of this content means it’s only available on digital platforms after the initial broadcast for a short time, making it difficult to sustain the viewership needed across both broadcast and digital as more of our audience migrates online. As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to conclude the programme. We’re excited to give fans an opportunity to mark its legacy with three hour-long specials.”
During its 20-year history, the programme has evolved with a goal to reflect current communities and everyday policing across New Zealand. In 2014, the show’s format was updated and Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Lemoto joined as a new presenter, replacing retired Detective Inspector Graham Bell who had fronted the show since its inception.
In April 2022, the show’s format and style was refreshed again and reintroduced as Ten 7 Aotearoa, following the findings of an independent review in 2021 which was commissioned to understand changing viewer expectations. Presenter Sam Wallace joined as a co-host and more filming was introduced to give a more representative picture of policing across the motu. The 2022 iteration also had a broader focus on crime prevention and education.
Screentime Chief Executive Officer Philly de Lacey says: “We are proud of Ten 7 and what it has achieved over the past two decades. Ten 7 has made a significant impact as a crime fighting tool, a driver of safer communities, and has delivered record viewing numbers for TVNZ over the years. Its evolution and progression overtime has ensured its relevance for 20 years.
“The upcoming finale specials will recognise the series’ part in New Zealand television history with a look back at some of the best moments and feature some new, unseen policing footage and wanted cases.”
Throughout its history, the show was responsible for 963 arrests, as well as hundreds of crimes solved and cases progressed because of viewer information and tips to police.
Ten 7 Aotearoa will debut its first one-hour special on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ on the 13th April.
