Reality dating show First Dates has arrived in New Zealand, and it's gloriously awkward

Ever wanted to be a fly on the wall during someone's first date? Now you can. Photos / TVNZ

A new reality dating show is descending on New Zealand, but this one is a little more in line with the Kiwi way of doing things.

First Dates comes to us from Australia and the UK with a simple concept: strangers meet up for a blind date and see how things go.

That's it.

No competing with other suitors, no weekly challenges, no marriage or moving in together, no bright lights and showbiz glitz. It's just a date.

And afterwards they can decide whether or not they want to see each other again, and it's up to them what happens next.

The entertainment is not in the drama. It's in the everyday aspect of it, in all its awkward glory.

Each week, eight Kiwi singles are matched based on likes and dislikes and thrown in the deep end at an Auckland restaurant where the cameras - rigged all around the restaurant - give us a fly-on-the-wall look at their awkward first dates.

From first impressions through to uncomfortable small talk and cringe-worthy blunders, right through to paying the bill and telling the cameras whether a second date is likely or not - we see it all.

Never mind finding love, let's just see if these Kiwis can land a second date.

TUNE IN:

Where: TVNZ 2
When: Monday, October 10 at 8.30pm
What: Reality dating gets Kiwi as