This is a list of New Zealand television events and premieres that occurred in 2012, the 53nd year of continuous operation of television in New Zealand.

• 2 December – 15-year-old singer and guitarist Clara van Wel wins the second series of New Zealand's Got Talent.^[1]

• 29 April – Big Angry Fish (TV3) (2012)
• 6 May – Pocket Protectors (TV2) (also Canada) (2012)
• 1 June – Hounds (TV3) (2012)
• 4 July – The Block NZ (TV3) (2012–present)
• 13 July – Jono and Ben (TV3) (2012–present)
• 31 August – Now is the Hour (TV2) (2012)

• 3 March – ThunderCats (2011) (TV2)
• 5 March – Fanboy & Chum Chum (Four)
• 7 June – / Jim Henson's Pajanimals (TV2)
• 11 June – // Dinosaur Train (TV2)
• 5 December – Alcatraz (TV One)
• Olly the Little White Van (TVNZ Kidzone)
• Punky (TVNZ Kidzone)
• Jake and the Never Land Pirates (TV2)

Closures:

• 30 June: TVNZ 7