The reality-TV show Police Ten 7 has been under recent scrutiny by an Auckland Councillor and has stated that the show feeds racist stereotypes where young brown men are portrayed as “brutish” (Radio New Zealand, 2021c). This study seeks to determine whether his assumptions are correct by undertaking a content analysis of the TV show Police Ten 7 and highlighting the relevance of the findings through cultivation theory and labelling theory. In doing so, it seeks to analyse the show's portrayal of alleged offenders and reveal any disparities concerning the treatment of Māori and Pasifika individuals compared to Pākehā and their attitudes towards the police.

Several international studies have documented and investigated reality crime shows with results indicating an apparent inclination of ethnic minorities or non-white individuals to be intrinsically criminal (Dixon & Linz, 2000; Monk-Turner et al., 2007; Oliver, 1994, 2003; Oliver et al., 2007). In contrast, at a national level, literature on reality crime shows is almost non-existent, with the only study conducted in 2012 on Police Ten 7. Hence, this dissertation addresses a significant gap in the literature.

This research is based on 12 episodes taken from Season 27, Episodes 27-38, of Police Ten 7. The episodes were aired on New Zealand television from October 17th, 2020, to January 28th, 2021. Through content analysis, several variables were developed in collecting data relating to demographics, offences and arrests, time, verbal aggression, missing clothing, and gang connections.

The findings confirm that Māori and Pasifika are portrayed more often as criminals than police officers and are represented across more offence divisions than individuals identified as Pākehā. Further discrepancies were found in the substantially disproportionate TV airtime spent on each ethnic group. Overall, the study supports and confirms the results of previous research while also presenting several new findings, therefore, adding to the overall body of literature in the field.