The Block NZ
The Block NZ is a New Zealand reality show based on the popular Australian reality television series The Block. The first season premiered on Three on 4 July 2012.
| The Block NZ | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality |
| Created by | Julian Cress David Barbour |
| Presented by |
|
| Judges |
|
| Country of origin | New Zealand |
| No. of seasons | 8 |
| No. of episodes | 300 (as of 14 July 2019) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Aaron Dolbel[2] |
| Production location(s) |
|
| Running time | 60 – 120 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Warner Bros. International Television Production |
| Release | |
| Original network | Three |
| Picture format | |
| Original release | 4 July 2012 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
The show is hosted by former Black Cap Mark Richardson and Shelley Ferguson,[1] while Peter Wolfkamp serves as site foreman. It follows four couples as they compete against each other to completely renovate, room by room, four neighbouring houses in Auckland,[5][6] and then sell them at auction. Each couple keeps any profit made on the house, and the winner receives a bonus cash sum.[6]
The current main sponsors are hardware chain PlaceMakers, car manufacturer Suzuki, Tower Insurance, and restaurant franchise McDonald's. Throughout seasons 1–2, car manufacturer Mazda was also a main sponsor, but for season 3, the sponsorship was awarded to car manufacturer Honda.[7] Other previous sponsors include Bunning's Warehouse BP's Wild Bean Cafe, AMI Insurance and Pita Pit.
The series premiered in Australia on 9Go! on 12 August 2012.
Development
The show was initially announced on 24 February 2012, when a casting call went out[8] and saw over 1,000 couples apply.[9] The four couples selected for the first season were announced on the official Facebook page on 17 June 2012.[10]
Differences from the Australian series
The series differs from the original Australian version in several ways. In the New Zealand version, the final contestants have been pre-determined by the show's producers. This contrasts to the Australian version, where the final couples are decided from a shortlist in an elimination week. In the New Zealand version, the show aired twice a week in the first season,[10] thrice a week in the second season, and four times a week in the third season, as opposed to the Australian show's Sunday to Thursday schedule. In all eight seasons thus far, there are challenges to determine auction order rather than contestants deciding amongst themselves, or being randomly drawn out, and the final challenge winners never have an amount knocked off the original reserve price.
Hosts and judges
| Starring | Season | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mark Richardson[1] | Host | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shelley Ferguson[1][11] | Judge | Host | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jason Bonham[12][13] | Judge | Judge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lizzi Whaley | Judge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Peter Wolfkamp[14] | Site foreman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shannon Ryan[1] | Host | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Victoria Bidwell[15] | Judge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stewart Harris[15] | Judge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Janice Kumar-Ward[16] | Judge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jeremy Hansen[16] | Judge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mark Gascoigne[11] | Judge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fiona McLeod | Judge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Izzard | Judge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bernadette Morrison[12][13] | Judge | Judge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kristina Rapley | Judge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series overview
| Season | Title | Location | Episodes | Originally aired | Result | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season premiere | Season finale | People's Choice Award winner | Winning team | Winning profit (NZD) | Total profit | |||||
| 1 | The Block NZ | Takapuna, Auckland | 20 | 4 July 2012[17] | 6 September 2012 | Not Awarded | Libby & Ben Crawford | $157,000 | $237,000 | |
| 2 | The Block NZ 2013 | Belmont, Auckland | 31 | 26 August 2013 | 4 November 2013 | Pete & Andy | Alice & Caleb Pearson | $181,000 | $261,000 | |
| 3 | The Block NZ 2014 | Point Chevalier, Auckland | 49 | 26 August 2014 | 18 November 2014 | Jo & Damo | Alex & Corban Walls | $227,000 | $307,000 | |
| 4 | Villa Wars | Sandringham and Three Kings, Auckland | 40 | 29 September 2015 | 6 December 2015 | Cat & Jeremy | Brooke Thompson & Mitch Davies | $190,000 | $290,000 | |
| 5 | Girls Vs. Boys | Meadowbank, Auckland | 46 | 29 May 2016 | 14 August 2016 | Dyls Cossey & Dylz Guitink | Sam Cable & Emmett Vallender | $380,000 | $480,000 | |
| 6 | Side X Side | Northcote, North Shore, Auckland | 49 | 25 June 2017 | 17 September 2017 | Andy Murdie & Nate Ross | Andy Murdie & Nate Ross | $31,000 | $131,000 | |
| 7 | On Point | Hobsonville, Auckland | 49 | 8 July 2018 | 30 September 2018 | Amy Moore & Stu Watts | Amy Moore & Stu Watts | $69,500 | $169,500 | |
| 8 | Firehouse | Kingsland, Auckland | 48 | 17 June 2019 | 8 September 2019 | Sam Whatarangi & Ethan Ordish | Lisa Ridout-Gordon & Chris "Ribz" Gordon | $50,000 | $150,000 | |
Profits
| Season | No. of teams | No. of properties sold at auction | Winning Prize | Average auction profit | Combined auction profit1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012 | 4 | $80,000 | $58,000 | $232,000 | |
| 2 | 2013 | 4 | $74,750 | $299,000 | ||
| 3 | 2014 | 4 | $111,250 | $445,000 | ||
| 4 | 2015 | 4 | $100,000 | $158,250 | $633,000 | |
| 5 | 2016 | 4 | $245,250 | $981,000 | ||
| 6 | 2017 | 4 | $16,250 | $65,000 | ||
| 7 | 2018 | 4 | $51,362.50 | $205,450 | ||
| 8 | 2019 | 4 | 2 | $50,000 | $50,000 | |
| Overall combined profit | $2,910,450 | |||||
| Including Prize Money ($740,000) | $3,650,450 | |||||
- ^1 The combined auction profit excludes the winning prize money
Season synopses
Season 1
The first season of The Block NZ premiered on 4 July 2012 and ended on 6 September 2012. It is set in the Auckland suburb of Takapuna.
| House | Auction spot | Couple | Reserve | Auction Result | Profit | Total Winnings | Placing spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Rachel & Tyson | $789,000 | $789,000 | $0 | $0 | 4th |
| 2 | 2 | Sarah & Rich | $806,000 | $870,000 | $64,000 | $64,000 | 2nd |
| 3 | 1 | Libby & Ben | $804,000 | $961,000 | $157,000 | $237,000 | 1st |
| 4 | 3 | Ginny & Rhys | $794,000 | $805,000 | $11,000 | $11,000 | 3rd |
Season 2
The second season of The Block NZ premiered on 26 August 2013 and ended on 4 November 2013. It is set in the Auckland suburb of Belmont.
| House | Auction spot | Couple | Reserve | Auction Result | Profit | Total Winnings | Placing spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Alice & Caleb | $945,000 | $1.126m | $181,000 | $260,000 | 1st |
| 2 | 4 | Alisa & Koan | $948,000 | $1.014m | $66,000 | $66,000 | 2nd |
| 3 | 1 | Pete & Andy | $925,000 | $952,000 | $27,000 | $27,000 | 3rd |
| 4 | 2 | Loz & Tom | $922,000 | $947,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | 4th |
Season 3
The third season of The Block NZ premiered on 26 August 2014 and ended on 18 November 2014. It is set in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier, the first time the Block was held outside of the North Shore.
| House | Auction spot | Couple | Reserve | Auction Result | Profit | Total Winnings | Placing spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Quinn & Ben | $1.325m | $1.335m | $10,000 | $10,000 | 4th |
| 2 | 2 | Maree & James | $1.325m | $1.472m | $147,000 | $147,000 | 2nd |
| 3 | 1 | Alex & Corban | $1.325m | $1.552m | $227,000 | $307,000 | 1st |
| 4 | 4 | Jo & Damo | $1.325m | $1.386m | $61,000 | $61,000 | 3rd |
Season 4
The fourth season of The Block NZ premiered on 29 September 2015. It is set on the boundary of the Auckland suburbs of Sandringham and Three Kings.[3] The title for season four was The Block NZ: Villa Wars.[18]
| House | Auction spot | Couple | Reserve | Auction Result | Profit | Total Winnings | Placing spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Jamie & Hayden | $1.175m | $1.335m | $160,000 | $160,000 | 2nd (tie) |
| 2 | 2 | Sarah & Minanne | $1.149m | $1.272m | $123,000 | $123,000 | 4th |
| 3 | 4 | Cat & Jeremy | $1.160m | $1.320m | $160,000 | $160,000 | 2nd (tie) |
| 4 | 1 | Brooke & Mitch | $1.160m | $1.350m | $190,000 | $290,000 | 1st |
Season 5
The fifth season of The Block NZ premiered on 29 May 2016 and is set in the Auckland suburb of Meadowbank.[19] The title of this series is "Girls vs Boys", with two of the teams being made up of females and the other two made up with males.[20] It has netted the highest combined profits of $981,000.[21]
| House | Auction spot | Couple | Reserve | Auction Result | Profit | Total Winnings | Placing spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Niki & Tiff | $1,170,000 | $1,320,000 | $150,000 | $150,000 | 4th |
| 2 | 3 | Dyls & Dylz | $1,190,000 | $1,341,000 | $151,000 | $151,000 | 3rd |
| 3 | 2 | Courtney & Emma | $1,210,000 | $1,510,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 | 2nd |
| 4 | 4 | Sam & Emmett | $1,230,000 | $1,610,000 | $380,000 | $480,000 | 1st |
Season 6
The sixth season premiered on 25 June 2017.[22] It is set in the Auckland suburbs of Northcote, North Shore.[23] The title of this series is "Side X Side", as each of the houses were large 4-storey townhouses, the largest houses in terms of floor area in The Block NZ. It had netted the lowest combined profits ($65,000), and it also saw the first time a house did not meet reserve, but got the highest bid on the re-sell.[21]
| House | Auction spot | Couple | Reserve | Auction Result | Profit | Total Winnings | Placing spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Ling & Zing | $1,299,000 | $1,300,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | 4th |
| 2 | 2 & 5[lower-alpha 1] | Andy & Nate | $1,219,000 | $1,250,000 | $31,000 | $131,000 | 1st |
| 3 | 3 | Julia & Ali | $1,229,000 | $1,242,000 | $13,000 | $13,000 | 3rd |
| 4 | 4 | Stace & Yanita | $1,251,000 | $1,271,000 | $20,000 | $20,000 | 2nd |
Season 7
The seventh season premiered on 8 July 2018. It is set in the Auckland suburb of Hobsonville. The title of this series is "On Point".
| House | Auction spot | Couple | Reserve | Auction Result | Profit | Total Winnings | Placing spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Claire & Agni | $920,000 | $950,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 | 3rd |
| 2 | 1 | Ben & Tom | $930,000 | $987,000 | $57,000 | $57,000 | 2nd |
| 3 | 4 | Chlo & Em | $910,000 | $921,500 | $11,500 | $11,500 | 4th |
| 4 | 3 | Amy & Stu | $940,000 | $1,009,500 | $69,500 | $169,500 | 1st |
Season 8
The eighth season premiered on 17 June 2019. It is set in the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. The title of this series is "Firehouse", as the contestants are renovating apartments in an old fire station.
| Apartment | Auction spot | Couple | Reserve | Auction Result | Profit | Total Winnings | Placing spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Stacy & Adam | $1,480,000 | $1,480,000 (after auction) | $0 | $0 | 2nd |
| 2 | 1 | Lisa & Ribz | $1,290,000 | $1,340,000 | $50,000 | $150,000 | 1st |
| 3 | 2 | Ethan & Sam | $1,390,000 | $1,390,000 | $0 | $0 | 2nd |
| 4 | 4 | Sophia & Mikaere | >$1,600,000 | $1,600,000 (after auction) | $0 | $0 | 2nd |
Season 9
In December 2019, a casting call was sent out looking for four new teams.[24] Production for this season began in January 2020 on Huia Road in Point Chevalier with four two-storey townhouses being constructed.[25] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions put in place, the season was postponed until 2021.[26]
Notes
- House was passed in as the reserve was not met the first time, and then went back to auction after fourth auction was complete.
References
- "The Block NZ's photo". Facebook.com. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
Big news – the hosts of The Block NZ have been announced! We've got sports star turned broadcaster Mark Richardson as the show host and the gorgeous Shannon Ryan will join him as the challenge presenter. Bring It On!
- Smithies, Grant (25 June 2017). "The Questionnaire: The Block NZ's Aaron Dolbel". i.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- "The Block gears up for Auckland inner-city sites". The New Zealand Herald. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/77144069/the-block-2016-the-secret-location-is-out
- Hallahan, Marnie (31 May 2012). "Bargains on The Block". North Shore Times – via Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
- "About The Block NZ". tv3.co.nz. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
- Springall, Lesley. "The Block NZ – leveraged to perfection". Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- "TV3's The Block searching for contestants". newshub.co.nz. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- "The Block NZ contestants revealed". 3news.co.nz. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
- "The Block NZ photo". Facebook.com. 17 June 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
The Block has finally come NZ and we're thrilled to announce the teams! Meet Sarah & Rich from Hamilton, Libby & Ben from CHCH & AKL, Ginny & Rhys from New Plymouth and Rachel & Ty from Wellington! Who will nail it? The Block NZ, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4th July on TV3. C'Mon now!
- "Meet the new Block NZ judges". Stuff.co.nz. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
- http://www.tv3.co.nz/NEW-JUDGES-FOR-THE-BLOCK-NZ-VILLA-WARS/tabid/2983/articleID/117657/Default.aspx
- http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2017/06/the-block-nz-2017-judges-revealed.html
- http://www.tv3.co.nz/Interview-with-The-Block-NZ-Foreman/tabid/2986/articleID/77896/Default.aspx
- "Lights, camera... DIY". 27 May 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
- "Q&A with The Block NZ Judges". tv3.co.nz. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
- "The Block NZ contestants revealed". 3 News. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- "The Block NZ Villa Wars". 10 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- "CONTESTANT SEARCH: The Block NZ 2016". tv3.co.nz. TV3. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- http://www.newshub.co.nz/entertainment/the-block-nz-girls-vs-boys-2016051506
- "Social media lashes out at two attempts to sell winning Block house". The New Zealand Herald. 17 September 2017. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
- "The Block NZ's Mark Richardson reveals what's different about this year's show". i.stuff.co.nz. Stuff. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- "The Block NZ heads to the North Shore". newshub.co.nz. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- Hawkes, Colleen (9 December 2019). "Block stars urgently wanted for 2020, as Three does final shout-out". i.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Hawkes, Colleen (30 January 2020). "The Block NZ 2020 houses taking shape in Point Chevalier". i.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Hawkes, Colleen (7 May 2020). "Coronavirus: The Block NZ postponed till 2021 due to Covid-19". i.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 May 2020.