It’s been over seven months since TVNZ first announced plans for a homegrown version of Survivor, and while in that time we’ve learned of the filming location and host, a premiere date has evaded us. Now, we have a start date thanks to a tweet from host Matt Chisholm.

I've been waiting for the longest time… to tell you this… #SurvivorNZ starts Sunday, May 7…

on @TV2NZ pic.twitter.com/v5xw2jvJfL — Matt Chisholm (@MattChisholm76) April 9, 2017

The debut season, filmed last year in Nicaragua, will premiere Sunday, May 7 at 7 pm (NZ time) on TVNZ 2. The show will air twice a week, with 90-minute episodes on Sunday evenings, followed by one-hour episodes on a Monday from 7:30 pm. The multiple episodes per week model is similar to last year’s Australian Survivor which aired up to three times a week.

However, unlike the Aussie version, Survivor NZ will be sticking closer to the original US format, meaning it won’t be dramatically extending the number of cast members and game days. According to Stuff.co.nz, the season will see 16 Kiwis compete in a “test of their strength and cunning” for up to 40 days (just one day longer than the American version). The winner will receive a cash prize of $100,000.

There is currently no information on the cast, but over 8000 people applied to be on the popular adventure show. With the season scheduled to premiere in less than a month, we should expect news on the cast very soon. Stay tuned to Inside Survivor.

Survivor New Zealand is produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production New Zealand.

Header Image: Scott McAulay

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