The Block: Thousands tuned in for final

487,000 viewers tuned in for the live auction final.

As the contestants work out how to spend their winnings, producers of The Block: Villa Wars will be relieved by last night's ratings, which saw 487,000 viewers tune in for the live auction final.

That's 83,000 more viewers than tuned in to last year's episode, which screened on a Friday night.

Season four got off to a slow start for TV3, with fans seemingly reluctant to embrace another season. The season premiered in September to 218,000 viewers, before slowly growing its following.

Throughout the season, an average of 290,000 viewers aged 5+ have tuned in. The Block's target demographic, aged 25-54, saw an average audience of 164,000 viewers tune in across the 10 week season.

Image 1 of 15: Jamie and Hayden react as their house is auctioned. Photo / Mediaworks

Last night's final was the second most-watched programme on television, behind One News. The Block won its 7pm timeslot, ahead of Border Security and Life Story on TV One and The Muppets and Supergirl on TV2.

The figures are still well down on 2013's second series, which saw a record audience of 691,000 viewers tune in to the live auction, of which 347,000 were 25-54.

Last night, MediaWorks confirmed a fifth season of The Block NZ would go ahead in 2016, with producers calling for contestants to apply now.