The New Zealand version of the Rabbit Films original format delivers stellar ratings for TVNZ!
The Most Endangered Species New Zealand (local title: Endangered Species Aotearoa) returned for its second season ( 6 x 60’) on 3rd March 2025 on TVNZ1. In the series, conservationist Nicola Toki and comedian Pax Assadi dive headfirst into New Zealand’s ecosystem to showcase the country’s most incredible – and most endangered – creatures.
Season 2 takes viewers up-close-and-personal with charismatic kakapo bird, magical manta ray and elusive swamp creatures, as the unlikely intrepid pair are back for another season of discovery. The series maintained a dedicated audience, averaging 241,000 viewers per episode and reaching over 1 million New Zealanders (21.6% share) across its six-week run.
The series demonstrated impressive audience loyalty, with a strong female viewership of 59.5% – higher than the channel average during peak viewing hours. Building on Season 1’s success, the 2nd season showed encouraging growth in its target demographic, improving its 25-54 share by +2% compared to the previous season’s performance.
Endangered Species Aotearoa remains New Zealand’s premier factual entertainment series focusing on conservation, bringing audiences face-to-face with the country’s most vulnerable species while delivering laughs and genuine education. The series continues to prove that environmental storytelling can be both entertaining and impactful.
The show’s digital performance reinforces its appeal to engaged viewers, with the series accumulating an average of 305,000 total streams per episode since its 2023 debut.
Endangered Species Aotearoa is produced by WBITVP New Zealand in association with local conservation group Forest & Bird, and is based on Rabbit’s original format The Most Endangered Species, which has successfully adapted across international markets. The series is made with support from NZ On Air.
The Most Endangered Species format, as well as the tape of both seasons of the the New Zealand version are distributed by Rabbit International.
Watch full episodes of The Most Endangered Species New Zealand here.