Throughout its history, the show has featured judges Ross Burden, Ray McVinnie,[1] Simon Gault,[2] Josh Emett,[3] Al Brown and Mark Wallbank.

The series is similar to the format of MasterChef Australia, whereby contestants compete in weekly elimination challenges, both individually and in teams.

The first series was won by Brett McGregor, over runner-up Kelly Young, in the grand finale which was screened on 28 April 2010.

[7] At the beginning of the series, a large number of hopeful contestants from across New Zealand individually audition by presenting a dish of their choosing to the judges in order to gain one of the 24 places.

[10] Included in the prizes was a cookbook deal, a Skoda car, a knife-set, and also working as a chef and menu-planner under season 2 winner Nadia Lim's healthy eating company, My Food Bag.

In November 2021, Discovery announced that MasterChef New Zealand would be returning for a seventh season in 2022 - applications were opened for casting.