New Zealand Spy

The New Zealand Intelligence Agency’s on the hunt for new recruits. When the agency places an ad in the newspaper, only three decidedly unlikely candidates respond. Thrown headfirst into the murky world of espionage, the mismatched trio fumbles its way through betrayal, romance and escalating absurdity.

New Zealand Spy (2026-present) is a New Zealand comedy drama series created by Paul Williams and produced by Kevin & Co for TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. Writer and star Paul Williams plays Michael Brown and Michael Riviera, a character drawn into a murky espionage world alongside Rose Matafeo as Sue Nightingale and Joe Thomas as Michael Anderson. Bret McKenzie appears as the agency's Boss, with Claudia O'Doherty as Misty Atwood and Andy Lee as Dennis Greene rounding out the principal cast. The engine of the show is a New Zealand Intelligence Agency desperate for recruits, which places a newspaper advertisement and receives responses from only three decidedly unlikely candidates. Thrown headfirst into secret operations, this mismatched trio fumbles through betrayal, romance and escalating absurdity, with each episode built around a fresh bungled assignment. Told in a single six-episode season of roughly twenty-three minutes each, the series plays as a compact, self-contained run rather than a sprawling saga. Its register is deadpan and wry, with the danger of espionage repeatedly undercut by farce and awkward human warmth. Fans of Get Smart, Flight of the Conchords and Burn Notice will find resonance in its blend of spy-thriller trappings and understated comedy, all grounded in a distinctly kiwi sensibility.

• Get Smartabsurdist comedy spy parody with mismatched recruits
• Flight of the Conchordsdeadpan workplace absurdity and offbeat ensemble comedy
• Burn Noticebumbling espionage comedy with romance and betrayal

Created by

Paul Williams

Release Date

2026-04-29

Episode runtime

23 min

Rating

7.4 / 10 (10)

What is New Zealand Spy about?

Three unlikely recruits respond to a New Zealand intelligence agency's newspaper ad and stumble into a world of espionage, betrayal and absurd escalation.

What is New Zealand Spy like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of New Zealand Spy as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is New Zealand Spy violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in New Zealand Spy as mild.

Which shows are like New Zealand Spy?

Shows with a similar feel include Get Smart, Flight of the Conchords, and Burn Notice.

How long is New Zealand Spy?

New Zealand Spy: 1 season, 6 episodes.

Is New Zealand Spy still running?

Yes, New Zealand Spy is still running.