📋 Tender Overview
Released at 12:32 pm on 9 October 2026 Photo: Jayne Joyce Television industry insider Dylan Reeve pulls back the curtain and shares the secrets of reality television in Aotearoa in new podcast . After working as an editor on many of the big shows including , and controversial series , Reeve took his reality journey a step further, as contestant on the first series of . A true nostalgia hit,looks back at , the pioneer local series that originated a plethora of singing competition shows worldwide. It revisits and finds out what happens when celebrities get stuck on Treasure Island. It recalls the moments that made headlines, sparked public outrage, and left their mark on New Zealand culture. The podcast combines Reeves first-hand knowledge and sharp wit with interviews with some of our enduring reality television personalities, decision makers and industry stalwarts. Reeve takes listeners on a deep dive into New Zealand reality TV lore, the rules and the villain edits. He asks what these shows do to the people who appear on them and checks in on the state of the local industry today - spoiler alert, it isnt looking good. RNZs Executive Editor, Audio Tim Watkin says reality television is a huge industry worldwide with immense cultural reach, and that is a fascinating look at what is often described as a guilty pleasure. Dylan is uniquely positioned to reveal what happens in the editing booth to create appointment viewing and viral moments. He explores the snobbery associated with the genre and the impact it has on its participants and audience and how we see ourselves as New Zealanders. Remember the mean judges who got run out of New Zealand? The housewives bad language? The string of gay comedians who challenged stereotypes out in the bush? Well show you all the herbs and spices in the secret recipe. Producer and presenter Dylan Reeve says the podcast is for the lovers and the haters of reality television. Whether you enjoy the escapism, or think its just trash TV, this podcast will have something to offer! It is a deep dive into our local reality TV history and the industry that powers it, offering a unique chance to hear from some of the key personalities from our local reality TV world, from both in front, and behind, the cameras. This seven-part podcast has a new episode released on Mondays and Thursdays from Monday 12 October. Listen at rnz.co.nz/podcasts or on podcast apps. Broadcast on Sundays at 7am on RNZ National from Sunday 18 October. Biography Dylan Reeve has spent more than 20 years in the edit suites of New Zealands television industry. He stepped straight out of film school and into the reality TV deep end at Julie Christies Touchdown TV right as the genre was blowing up. Through a varied career in the industry, Dylan has been on the inside of many of the countrys most popular shows, including more than a decade leading post-production on , and editing roles on many popular (and infamous) reality shows such as , and . An unexpected pivot into investigative work in 2014 saw Dylan join forces with David Farrier to direct the critically acclaimed documentary film and led to a deeper interest in journalism and non-fiction storytelling which led him into writing for , and authoring in 2023. Dylans reality TV journey then came full circle when he was invited to participate as a player in the first season of , our local version of what has become the most popular reality format in the world. And then, of course, he joined the post production team for the second season.
