TVNZ 2
A New Zealand television channel operated by state-owned broadcaster Television New Zealand and aimed primarily at younger audiences.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
TVNZ 2 is a New Zealand free-to-air television channel owned and operated by Television New Zealand (TVNZ). It is TVNZ's entertainment-oriented counterpart to TVNZ 1 and generally targets younger viewers with a schedule built around drama, comedy, reality television, children's programming and selected factual or lifestyle content. The channel combines locally produced programmes with a much larger volume of acquired international programming, particularly catalogues originating in the United States and Canada. The channel began broadcasting on 30 June 1975 as Television Two, following the dissolution of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation into separate radio and television operations. Its initial coverage was built around Auckland and Christchurch, with expansion to Waikato, Wellington, Dunedin and Invercargill during its first year. The new service inherited studios and transmission facilities associated with the former AKTV2 and CHTV3 operations. It was intended to provide a distinct second television service with a programming identity different from the first national channel. For most of its early existence, the service was known as South Pacific Television. It adopted that name in 1976, partly to avoid confusion caused by local channel numbering. South Pacific Television became part of the Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand in 1977. In February 1980, South Pacific Television and Television One were brought under a single administration, Television New Zealand. South Pacific Television closed shortly after midnight on 16 February 1980, and Television Two relaunched later that day as a TVNZ service. During the 1980s and 1990s, the channel used several identities, including Network Two and Channel 2, before returning to TV2 in 1995. Its positioning gradually shifted from a formally complementary service to a channel focused primarily on entertainment, while TV One developed a stronger information and public-affairs emphasis. The schedule later expanded to round-the-clock broadcasting, and the channel increased its investment in locally made programmes and local on-screen talent. TVNZ 2 has carried several long-running New Zealand programmes. What Now, a children's programme that began in 1981 and moved to TVNZ 2 in 1989, became one of its enduring youth offerings. Shortland Street, New Zealand's long-running soap opera, has also been associated with the channel since 1992. The channel has additionally used acquired series and major international franchises to attract broad evening audiences, including Home and Away, whose broadcast rights it regained in 2013. The brand has repeatedly modernised its presentation. A major 2003 identity used the slogan "2 in the neighbourhood" and positioned the channel through Auckland-based idents featuring TV2 personalities. It later adopted widescreen broadcasting on Freeview in 2007 and moved from 720p to 1080i high definition in 2010. On 1 October 2016, the service was renamed TVNZ 2 as part of a broader TVNZ brand architecture. TVNZ 2 is distributed through New Zealand's terrestrial and satellite television infrastructure, including Kordia's government-owned transmission network and the Freeview and Sky platforms. A related one-hour delayed service, TVNZ 2+1, launched in 2013. In 2020, TVNZ 2 also carried Home Learning TV during the COVID-19 school closures, temporarily replacing its usual time-shifted programming during weekday daytime hours.
History
TVNZ 2 originated in the creation of New Zealand's second national television channel. After the establishment of a national television network in 1969 and early colour broadcasting development, the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation considered how a second service could operate. Proposals included a commercial-free channel model, while private interests also explored a commercial second network. The government announced plans for a second channel in 1972, and the service was formally developed during the reorganisation of the broadcasting system. The New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation was dissolved on 1 April 1975. Its television operations were divided between Television One and Television Two, while radio became Radio New Zealand. Television Two inherited facilities associated with Auckland's AKTV2 and Christchurch's CHTV3. It began broadcasting from Auckland at 1 p.m. on 30 June 1975 and from Christchurch at 6 p.m. the same day, after a transmitter aerial problem delayed the Christchurch start. Waikato coverage began in September, Wellington coverage in November, and coverage reached Dunedin and Invercargill in June 1976. The service initially used the identity TV2 South Pacific Television, then became South Pacific Television in 1976. Its early operation was constrained by limited network-link capacity: Television One received priority, so TV2 sometimes used overnight periods to transfer programmes between Auckland and Christchurch for later simultaneous transmission. The service developed a reputation for locally produced programmes, including children's, adventure and entertainment titles. Its early closedown was also associated with the Goodnight Kiwi cartoon, which later became a recognised element of New Zealand television culture. In 1977, South Pacific Television became part of the Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand. The government subsequently decided to place Television One and South Pacific Television under one administration. South Pacific Television ended its separate operation shortly after midnight on 16 February 1980, after a farewell broadcast, and Television Two relaunched at noon the same day under Television New Zealand. The combined organisation initially described the two channels as complementary, but this distinction weakened during the 1980s as TV2 increasingly emphasised entertainment and TV One focused more strongly on information programming. The channel adopted the Network Two identity in 1987 and Channel 2 in 1989. It experimented with overnight broadcasting in the early 1990s, first for a short period and later on selected nights, before moving to continuous 24-hour transmission in October 1994. The TV2 name returned in 1995. During the late 1990s, TVNZ introduced a new group of local programmes and a refreshed presentation package, increasing the visibility of New Zealand performers and production staff and strengthening the channel's evening schedule. TV2's 2003 identity, built around the phrase 2 in the neighbourhood, used a fictionalised local neighbourhood and appearances by channel talent to express an accessible, youth-oriented personality. The channel also pursued audience expansion through acquired programmes and sports-related content. It ended the M2 overnight music block in 2003, although producers continued to make other music and youth programmes for the channel. Technologically, TV2 moved to 16:9 widescreen broadcasting on Freeview in 2007 and changed its high-definition format from 720p to 1080i in 2010. It introduced another presentation package on New Year's Day 2012 and later used live-action idents incorporating thousands of printed channel-logo pieces. The service was renamed TVNZ 2 on 1 October 2016. TVNZ 2 remains a New Zealand free-to-air channel distributed via terrestrial and satellite infrastructure. Its programming continues to combine local productions with acquired international catalogues. TVNZ 2+1 provides a one-hour delayed version of the Auckland feed. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, the channel temporarily carried Home Learning TV during weekday daytime hours, supporting school-age learning while schools were closed.
- 2020
Home Learning TV carried during lockdown
[1]TVNZ 2 broadcasts educational programming during weekday daytime hours while New Zealand schools are closed.
- 2016
Renamed TVNZ 2
[1]The channel adopts the TVNZ 2 name on 1 October.
- 2013
TV2+1 launches
[1]A one-hour time-shifted service launches on Freeview and Sky.
- 2010
High-definition format changes to 1080i
[1]The channel changes its HD transmission format from 720p to 1080i.
- 2007
Freeview widescreen broadcasting begins
[1]TV2 adopts 16:9 widescreen transmission on Freeview around the clock.
- 2003
2 in the neighbourhood campaign launches
[1]TV2 introduces a neighbourhood-themed brand platform and updated logo treatment.
- 1995
TV2 name restored
[1]The channel returns to the TV2 identity after its Network Two and Channel 2 periods.
- 1994
Continuous broadcasting begins
[1]Channel 2 begins continuous 24-hour broadcasting on 19 October.
- 1987
Network Two identity introduced
[1]TV2 adopts the Network Two branding as its programming identity moves further toward entertainment.
- 1981
What Now begins
[1]The long-running children's programme What Now begins; it later becomes a TVNZ 2 programme.
Products and positioning
A younger-skewing, entertainment-led free-to-air television channel offering a mix of New Zealand productions and international drama, comedy, reality and children's programming.
Television channel · 1975
TVNZ 2 linear channel
The core TVNZ 2 service is a New Zealand free-to-air channel with an entertainment-led schedule. Its programming mix includes drama, comedy, reality television, children's content and selected local productions, supplemented by acquired programmes mainly from the United States and Canada. The channel is distributed through terrestrial and satellite transmission and is available through Freeview and Sky packages.
Time-shifted television channel · 2013
TVNZ 2+1
TVNZ 2+1 is a one-hour delayed version of the Auckland TVNZ 2 feed. It launched as TV2+1 in 2013 and was renamed TVNZ 2+1 in 2016. The service gives viewers an additional opportunity to watch the channel's scheduled programmes and has been distributed through Freeview and Sky.
Children's television programme · 1981
What Now
What Now is a long-running New Zealand children's programme that began in 1981 and has been carried on TVNZ 2 since 1989. It is part of the channel's continuing youth and family programming heritage.
Soap opera · 1992
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a long-running New Zealand soap opera associated with TVNZ 2 since 1992. Its continuing presence has contributed to the channel's local-production identity and regular evening schedule.
Educational television programming · 2020
Home Learning TV
Home Learning TV was a temporary educational programming service introduced during New Zealand's 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. It featured New Zealand educators and was carried on TVNZ 2 during weekday daytime hours to support learners while schools were closed.
Marketing campaigns
- 20032 in the neighbourhood
New Zealand
TV2 introduced a brand platform centred on a neighbourhood setting, with idents filmed in Auckland and appearances by channel personalities. The campaign used the song The Neighbourhood by Sisters Underground and presented the service as accessible, familiar and entertainment-led.
Outcome. The campaign established a distinctive early-2000s TV2 identity and refreshed the channel's on-air presentation.
Brand decisions
2020
Temporary educational schedule during COVID-19 lockdownOtherBackground
New Zealand's nationwide lockdown closed schools and created a need for broadcast educational support.
Action taken
TVNZ 2 carried Home Learning TV during weekday daytime hours, temporarily replacing the usual time-shifted feed before later moving the block to a shorter morning slot.
Aftermath
The channel served as part of the national effort to maintain educational engagement during school closures.
2016
Rebrand as TVNZ 2StrategyBackground
TVNZ revised its channel branding architecture and sought closer visual and naming alignment across its services.
Action taken
TV2 was renamed TVNZ 2 on 1 October 2016, and TV2+1 was renamed TVNZ 2+1.
Aftermath
The channel's name became directly associated with the TVNZ master brand while retaining its established second-channel role.
2013
Home and Away rights reacquiredOtherBackground
TV2 competed with TV3 for the New Zealand broadcast rights to the international soap opera Home and Away.
Action taken
TV2 regained the programme's broadcast rights after outbidding TV3.
Aftermath
The programme returned to the TV2 schedule as an acquired audience-driving series.
1980
Consolidation under Television New ZealandM&ABackground
The New Zealand government decided that Television One and South Pacific Television should operate under a single administration.
Action taken
South Pacific Television closed as a separate service and Television Two relaunched under TVNZ on 16 February 1980.
Aftermath
The channel continued as TVNZ's second service, initially with a stated role of complementary programming.
Sources2 sources
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