TVNZ considers job cuts for Shortland Street staff

TVNZ is consulting with staff of the long-running soap opera Shortland Street about potential job cuts. This comes as the production team adjusts to a new schedule of fewer episodes. Last year, there were concerns about the show's future when production company South Pacific Pictures said its status was under review. In July, it was announced that Shortland Street would shift from airing five nights a week to three nights. The show reportedly costs TVNZ around $20 million annually to produce, but viewer ratings have declined significantly. Rachel Howard, a spokesperson for TVNZ, explained that the show's unique operating model was built around the previous five-episode weekly schedule. The changes aim to maintain the show's success while addressing the reduced number of episodes. This shift may lead to changes in the cast and crew who have permanent contracts. Despite these changes, Howard noted that the show's ratings remain strong. The current season is among the top five shows on TVNZ+, and is the second most-watched program on TVNZ 2 this year. She mentioned that discussions for a potential 2026 season are already taking place. TVNZ declined to comment further while the consultation process is ongoing.