According to The Herald, producers from The Real Housewives of Melbourne production company, Matchbox Pictures with the help of a producer from TV3's Dancing With the Stars - were in Auckland, scouting out potential cast members.
Apparently, test filming for the possible New Zealand version took place at Non Solo Pizza, in Auckland's posh Parnell suburb, a few weeks ago.
A source said that during the shoot some of the well-heeled ladies did what the show thrives on - drama.
One of the women approached by Matchbox Pictures said she had signed a confidentiality agreement.
"We were told to expect to hear back in February about who will be in it," the woman said. "If anyone says they are definitely in they are just saying that because no one knows yet."
One woman said she was concerned how the stars would be portrayed and received because of New Zealand's tall poppy syndrome. "That is the biggest concern," she said.
The woman did not know whether the show was likely to be on TVNZ or TV3 and didn't think it had been picked up by a network.
The publication claims that Friday, January 22 was the deadline for Matchbox Pictures to have a potential cast confirmed, and after the test shoot producers were still looking for one more member.
If the show gets picked up, it's believed that the cast members will be offered a $50,000 payday for a three-month shoot.
Apperently, an official from Matchbox Pictures was in New Zealand filming and casting for the show.
When called by the Herald, she said she was "on a shoot and couldn't talk".
When asked about Real Housewives, she said: "I've been told not to talk to you guys."
Last year radio station ZM launched an online video series called the Ladies of New Zealand, which filmed four women who were put together in a house for a week. The station changed its original title after owners of the Real Housewives series, Bravo Media sent a cease and desist notice saying they had infringed intellectual property rights, reports Stuff.
If picked up, this will be the third on-air, International English speaking Housewives series, next to The Real Housewives of Melbourne (Australia) and The Real Housewives of Cheshire (England). As we reported last year, South Africa's The Real Housewives Of Johannesburg was in the works, after months of filming, for unknown production reasons, the show was canned before it could even hit television screens.
Also, this will make the third NEW Housewives series for 2016. In the U.S., The Real Housewives of Potomac premiered with rating records for Bravo. The Real Housewives of Dallas is set to premiere later this year.
The Real Housewives of Melbourne Season 3 premieres on Sunday, February 21 at 8:30pm on Arena.
What are your thoughts on New Zealand's The Real Housewives of Auckland? Would you like it to happen? Sound off in the comment section below!
Photo Credit: Foxtel
