Dancing With the Stars NZ head judge Camilla Sacre-Dallerup has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be part of the judging panel for Sunday night's finale.
This season's show is being filmed under strict health and safety protocols in line with current Government COVID-19 regulations.
Professional ballroom dancer, coach, teacher and adjudicator Karen Hardy will step in to join judges James Luck and Lance Savali.
"I'm so sad to miss the grand final due to COVID. But I will watch from home, cheering everyone on like the rest of the country. I wish all of the couples a magical night - I just know they are going to give it their everything and put on a sensational show," Sacre-Dallerup said in a statement.
Replacement judge Hardy is a multi-title holder of various World Open dance championships including the International Latin American Dance Championship, the United Kingdom Open, British National, European, and World Masters championships.
She has also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in the United Kingdom from 2005 to 2009. She won the competition in 2006.
Hardy moved to New Zealand in 2018 with her Kiwi husband.
"It's wonderful to be back as part of the Dancing With the Stars mothership - being a part of Dancing With the Stars NZ tonight really feels like coming home," she said.
Dancing With the Stars NZ has experienced multiple COVID-19 disruptions this season. Two dance couples - Rhys Mathewson and dance partner Phoebe Robb as well as Eric Murray and Loryn Reynolds - had to leave the competition after one or both people in the pairings caught the virus.
It meant Kerre Woodham and Alex Vaz could return to the competition despite being eliminated earlier, as per BBC Studios format rules.
The Dancing With the Stars NZ grand finale airs at 7pm on Sunday on Three. Competing for the coveted mirrorball trophy is reality TV star Alex Vaz, broadcaster Brodie Kane, former professional boxer David Letele, and author and mental health advocate Jazz Thornton.
