Season 2 of ‘Birds Eye View’ lands on TVNZ+ created by The Sweetshop and Studio Local

Sweetshop Entertainment and Studio Local are ruffling feathers (in the best way) with the return of Bird’s Eye View—the animated series that’s part wild backyard romp, part parenting survival story (depending on who’s watching).

Back on TVNZ+ in 2025, this brand-new eight-episode season brings together everything kids love—funny birds, silly adventures, and a whole lot of heart—with just enough grown-up chuckles to keep the parents entertained too.

And this time, the flock is flying further. With the arrival of some very special international guests (hello, Australia!), plus a few adorable new hatchlings in the nest, Season Two is bigger, bolder, and even more delightfully unhinged.

Says Producer Rickylee Russell-Waipuka: “The team at Studio Local have taken things up a notch in Season 2—funnier, fresher, and even more heart, plus the animation is something the team can all be so proud of.  We’ve added new characters for the kids, and brought in Aussie comedy star Stephanie Tisdell as Lindy the cockatoo, whose sharp humour gives the series a whole new edge.”

Season Two brings together a stellar line-up of voices, both familiar and new, Tūī, voiced by the always brilliant Millen Baird (Housebound, Terry Teo), Kererū, played by multi-hyphenate Kerry Warkia, Pīwakawaka, brought to life by our very own Gemma Easton, Pūkeko, voiced by Aotearoa treasure Stan Walker, Jail Bird, played by the wonderfully deadpan Andy Faulkner (Jethica, Youngstown), and new to the nest—Lindy the cockatoo, voiced by Aussie comedy sensation Stephanie Tisdell (Class of ’07, Bump), ruffling feathers in the best way possible.

Season Two also introduces some fresh faces, Pūkeko Junior (played by Tawaho Russell-Waipuka) and the Kererū Chicks (the talented Kaea Levia McKay Aukino and Liam McColl Buller) are making their debut. Stan Walker, who plays Pūkeko talks about the dynamic on screen “I’m a father, and I think kids always relate to cartoons that reflect them, and who they want to be, and I know my kids will love it even more now that I have a son in Pūkeko Jnr.”

Expect more offbeat observations, more misguided missions, and even more bird-brained attempts to make sense of the human world. From backyard bloopers to unexpected run-ins with the wild unknown, the flock’s adventures are as sweet and silly as ever—with a few sly winks for the grown-ups watching along.

Directed by Pete Circuitt and Jared Kahi, and written by Nick Ward, Nick Boshier, Kathryn Burnett, Amy Stewart, and Te Waiarangi Ratana, the series was made in partnership with Studio Local and The Sweetshop, and proudly funded by NZ On Air.

“Whanau is truly at the heart of season 2 of Bird’s Eye View.” says director Jared Kahi “The flock were a kind of de facto family unit in season 1, but with the introduction of the younger birds into the cast, we get to see new dimensions of our main characters as they interact with the next generation, proving that it does indeed take a village to raise children. As directors and parents ourselves, it’s so satisfying to explore these family dynamics and expand the world as their adventures extend out of the backyard and into the wider world.”

Whether you’re five or forty-five, Bird’s Eye View will have the whole family chuckling. —Season Two is flying in hot.

Directed by: Pete Circuitt and Jared Kahi
Animated by: Studio Local
Produced by: Sweetshop Entertainment and Studio Local
Created by: Studio Local
Producers: Sharlene George, Rickylee Russell-Waipuka, Gemma Easton
Line Producer: Tania Smiler
Kaitiaki: Rickylee Russell-Waipuka
Development Producer: Rouzie Hassanova
Production Accountant: Tania Smiler, Kim Stringer
Production Co-ordinator: Tania Smiler, Rickylee Russell-Waipuka
The Sweetshop: Melanie Bridge, Karlie Fisher
TVNZ Commissioners: Ngawaero Maniapoto, Sondiyp Singh
NZOA Audience & Media Strategist: Sarah Donaldson

Writers:
EP 01, 06 and 08 Written by Nick Ward
EP 02 Written By Nick Boshier, Script Supervisor Nick Ward
EP 3 Written By Kathryn Burnett, Script Supervisor Nick Ward
EP 4 Written By Amy Stewart, Script Supervisor Nick Ward
EP 5 and 7 Written By Te Waiarangi Ratana, Script Supervisor Nick Ward

Cast / Voice Over Artists:
Tūī: Millen Baird
Kererū: Kerry Warkia
Pīwakawaka: Gemma Easton
Pukekō: Stan Walker
Big Jim Personalities: Andy Faulkner
Lindy: Steph Tisdell
Pūkeko Jnr: Tawhao Russell-Waipuka
Kererū Chicks: Kaea Levia Mckay Aukino, Liam McColl Buller
Tarquin: Peter Circuitt
Barty: Andy Welch
Mum: Melissa Brinsden
Dad: Nick Ward
Daughter: Sadie Kahi
Kid: Ivy Kahi
News Reporter & Mascot: Tre Russell

First Editor: Jared Kahi
Assistant Editor: Tania Smiler
Character Supervisor: Pete Circuitt
Rigger: Laura Sinici
Lead TD: Pete Circuitt
TD: Jason Li, Thelo Veltman
Generalist: Jason Li, Sam Lockhart
Lead Modeller: Jason Li
Models: Bobby Nofoot, Geksaedr
Surfacing: Pete Circuitt, Jason Li, Tim Reinhold
Storyboard Artist: Jared Kahi
Animation Director: Pete Circuitt
Lead Animator: Ari Rizki
Animators: Juan Arias, Sam Lockhart, Marchand Jooste, Jason Li, Dan Brown
Compositing Supervisor: Jared Kahi, Pete Circuitt
Compositors: Thelo Veltman, Leon Senf
Lighting: Pete Circuitt, Jason Li, Phil Brough
Render Wrangler: Jason Li, Thelo Veltman, Phil Brough
Online Mastering: Jared Kahi, Tania Smiler
Music Composition: Johnny Barker
Musical Arrangement: Jared Kahi
Sound Design & Mix: Vedat Kiyici, Morten Gamst
Sound Post: Envy Studios
Casting: Rickylee Russell-Waipuka
Special Thanks to Stan Walker & Aki Aki Management

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