The Block NZ explained

Genre:Reality
Creator:
  • Julian Cress
  • David Barbour
Judges:See list of judges
Country:New Zealand
Num Seasons:10
Num Episodes:417
Producer:Aaron Dolbel[1]
Runtime:60 – 120 minutes
Company:Warner Bros. International Television Production
Network:Three

The Block NZ is a New Zealand reality television series based on the popular Australian series The Block. The first season premiered on Three on 4 July 2012.

The show is hosted by former New Zealand cricketer Mark Richardson and Shelley Ferguson,[2] 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,[3] [4] and then sell them at auction. Each couple keeps any profit made on the house, and the winner receives a bonus cash sum.

The current main sponsors are paint manufacturer Resene, car manufacturer Suzuki, flooring retailer Flooring Xtra, and fast food chain Subway. Throughout seasons 1–2, car manufacturer Mazda was also a main sponsor, but for season 3, the sponsorship was awarded to car manufacturer Honda.[5] Other previous sponsors include Bunnings Warehouse, BP's Wild Bean Cafe, AMI Insurance and Pita Pit.

The series premiered in Australia on 9Go! on 12 August 2012.

The eleventh series, which was set to air in 2023, was originally postponed to 2024 due to a "challenging house market" and the dismal results of the 10th season.[6] [7] However in May 2024, despite the 11th season being almost ready for filming, Warner Bros. Discovery cancelled the series due to the network restructure.[8] [9] [10]

Development

The show was initially announced on 24 February 2012, when a casting call went out[11] and saw over 1,000 couples apply.[12] The four couples selected for the first season were announced on the official Facebook page on 17 June 2012.[13]

Hosts and judges

Starring! scope="col" colspan="11"
Season
12345678910
Current
colspan="10"
Shelley Ferguson[14] colspan="2" colspan="1" colspan="6" colspan="1"
Jason Bonham colspan="3" colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="3" colspan="1" colspan="1"
Peter Wolfkamp[15] colspan=10
Former
Shannon Ryan colspan="3" colspan="10"
Victoria Bidwell[16] colspan="1" colspan="10"
Stewart Harris colspan="1" colspan="10"
Janice Kumar-Ward[17] colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="10"
Jeremy Hansen colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="10"
Mark Gascoigne colspan="2" colspan="1" colspan="10"
Fiona McLeod colspan="4" colspan="1" colspan="10"
Paul Izzard colspan="4" colspan="1" colspan="10"
Bernadette Morrison[18] [19] colspan="3" colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="10"
Kristina Rapleycolspan="6" colspan="1" colspan="10"
Lizzi Whaleycolspan="7" colspan="1" colspan="10"
Chris Stevens colspan="8" colspan="1" colspan="1"
Ann-Louise Hyde colspan="8" colspan="1" colspan="1"
Lauren Mirabito colspan="8" colspan="1"

Series overview

SeasonTitleLocationEpisodesOriginally airedResult
Season premiereSeason finalePeople's Choice Award winnerWinning teamWinning profit (NZD)Total profit
12012Takapuna, Auckland20[20] style='background:#B87BF6; Libby & Ben Crawford$157,000$237,000
22013Belmont, Auckland31Pete & Andystyle='background:#B87BF6; Alice & Caleb Pearson$181,000$261,000
32014Point Chevalier, Auckland49Jo & Damostyle='background:#B87BF6; Alex & Corban Walls $227,000$307,000
4Villa WarsSandringham and Three Kings, Auckland40style='background:#FFFF00; Cat & Jeremystyle='background:#B87BF6; Brooke Thompson & Mitch Davies$190,000$290,000
5Girls Vs. BoysMeadowbank, Auckland46Dyls Cossey & Dylz Guitinkstyle='background:#B87BF6; Sam Cable & Emmett Vallender$380,000$480,000
6Northcote, North Shore, Auckland49style='background:#FFFF00; Andy Murdie & Nate Rossstyle='background:#FFFF00; Andy Murdie & Nate Ross$31,000$131,000
7Hobsonville, Auckland49style='background:#FFFF00; Amy Moore & Stu Wattsstyle='background:#FFFF00; Amy Moore & Stu Watts$69,500$169,500
8FirehouseKingsland, Auckland48Sam Whatarangi & Ethan Ordishstyle='background:#FFFF00; Lisa Ridout-Gordon & Chris "Ribz" Gordon$50,000$150,000
92021Point Chevalier, Auckland4814 June 2021[21] 14 November 2021Dylan & Keegan CrawfordTim Cotton & Arthur "Arty" Gillies$660,000$760,000
10RedemptionOrewa, Auckland3718 July 20229 October 2022Maree & James SteeleChloe Hes & Ben Speedy$4,000$104,000

Profits

SeasonNo. of teamsNo. of properties sold at auctionWinning PrizeAverage auction profitCombined auction profit
120124$80,000$58,000$232,000
220134$74,750$299,000
320144$111,250$445,000
420154$100,000$158,250$633,000
520164$245,250$981,000
620174$16,250$65,000
720184$51,362.50$205,450
8201942$50,000$50,000
920214$537,500$2,150,000
10202242$1,025$4,100
Overall combined profit $
Including Prize Money ($) $

Returning teams

ContestantsRelationshipOriginal seasonReturning seasonCombined profit
Quinn & Ben Alexandre Married3$40,00010$0$40,000
Chloe Hes
&<br>Ben Speedy
Friends7$11,500
&<br>$57,000
10$104,000[22] $63,500
&<br>$109,000
Maree & James SteeleMarried3$147,00010$100$147,100
Stacy & Adam Middleton Married8$010$0$0

Season synopses

Season 1

See main article: The Block NZ (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.

HouseAuction spotCoupleReserveAuction ResultProfitTotal WinningsPlacing spot
14Rachel & Tyson$798,000$798,000$0$04th
22style='background:SkyBlue; Sarah & Rich$806,000$870,000$64,000$64,0002nd
31style='background:#B87BF6; Libby & Ben$804,000$961,000$157,000$237,0001st
43style='background:#f4de00; Ginny & Rhys$794,000$805,000$11,000$11,0003rd

Season 2

See main article: The Block NZ (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.

HouseAuction spotCoupleReserveAuction ResultProfitTotal WinningsPlacing spot
13style='background:#B87BF6; Alice & Caleb$945,000$1.126m$181,000$260,0001st
24style='background:Yellow; Alisa & Koan$948,000$1.014m$66,000$66,0002nd
31style='background:SkyBlue; Pete & Andy$925,000$952,000$27,000$27,0003rd
42style='background:#FF9933; Loz & Tom$922,000$947,000$25,000$25,0004th

Season 3

See main article: The Block NZ (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.

HouseAuction spotCoupleReserveAuction ResultProfitTotal WinningsPlacing spot
13Quinn & Ben$1.325m$1.335m$10,000$10,0004th
22style='background:#f4de00; Maree & James$1.325m$1.472m$147,000$147,0002nd
31style='background:#B87BF6; Alex & Corban$1.325m$1.552m$227,000$307,0001st
44style='background:SkyBlue; Jo & Damo$1.325m$1.386m$61,000$61,0003rd

Season 4

See main article: The Block NZ (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.[23] The title for the fourth season was The Block NZ: Villa Wars.[24]

HouseAuction spotCoupleReserveAuction ResultProfitTotal WinningsPlacing spot
13Jamie & Hayden$1.175m$1.335m$160,000$160,0002nd (tie)
22Sarah & Minanne$1.149m$1.272m$123,000$123,0004th
34style='background:#f4de00; Cat & Jeremy$1.160m$1.320m$160,000$160,0002nd (tie)
41style='background:#B87BF6; Brooke & Mitch$1.160m$1.350m$190,000$290,0001st

Season 5

See main article: The Block NZ (season 5).

The fifth season of The Block NZ premiered on 29 May 2016 and is set in the Auckland suburb of Meadowbank.[25] 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.[26] It has netted the highest combined profits of $981,000.[27]

HouseAuction spotCoupleReserveAuction ResultProfitTotal WinningsPlacing spot
11Niki & Tiff $1,170,000$1,320,000$150,000$150,0004th
23Dyls & Dylz$1,190,000$1,341,000$151,000$151,0003rd
32Emma & Courtney $1,210,000$1,510,000$300,000$300,0002nd
44style='background:#B87BF6; Sam & Emmett$1,230,000$1,610,000$380,000$480,0001st

Season 6

See main article: The Block NZ (season 6). The sixth season premiered on 25 June 2017.[28] It is set in the Auckland suburbs of Northcote, North Shore.[29] 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 a 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.

HouseAuction spotCoupleReserveAuction ResultProfitTotal WinningsPlacing spot
11Ling & Zing$1,299,000$1,300,000$1,000$1,0004th
22 & 5Andy & Nate$1,219,000$1,250,000$31,000$131,0001st
33Julia & Ali $1,229,000$1,242,000$13,000$13,0003rd
44style='background:Orange; Stace & Yanita$1,251,000$1,271,000$20,000$20,0002nd

Season 7

See main article: The Block NZ (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".

HouseAuction spotCoupleReserveAuction ResultProfitTotal WinningsPlacing spot
12style='background:Orange; Claire & Agni$920,000$950,000$30,000$30,0003rd
21Ben & Tom $930,000$987,000$57,000$57,0002nd
34Chlo & Em$910,000$921,500$11,500$11,5004th
43Amy & Stu$940,000$1,009,500$69,500$169,5001st

Season 8

See main article: The Block NZ (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.

AptAuction spotCoupleReserveAuction ResultProfitTotal WinningsPlacing spot
13Stacy & Adam$1,480,000$1,480,000 (after auction)$0$02nd
21Lisa & Ribz$1,290,000$1,340,000$50,000$150,0001st
32style='background:Orange; Ethan & Sam$1,390,000$1,390,000$0$02nd
44Sophia & Mikaere>$1,600,000$1,600,000 (after auction)$0$02nd

Season 9

See main article: The Block NZ (season 9).

The ninth series premiered on 14 June 2021. It is the second season to be set in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier. Production began in 2020 but was paused for 13 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[30]

HouseAuction SpotTeamReserveAuction ResultProfitTotal WinningsPlacing spot
14thConnie & Rach$2,270,000$2,692,000$422,000$422,0004th
23rdMeg & Dan$2,222,000$2,700,000$478,000$478,0003rd
32ndDylan & Keegan$2,155,000$2,745,000$590,000$590,000 + Suzuki Jimny2nd
41stTim & Arthur$2,165,000$2,825,000$660,000$760,0001st

Season 10

See main article: The Block NZ (season 10). The tenth series of The Block premiered on 18 July 2022. It is set in the Auckland server of Orewa, and features contestants from previous seasons.

The series was won by Chloe & Ben, however it is the current lowest auction to date as they only went over the reserve by $4,000, then Maree & James by only $100, whilst the other two teams homes were passed in and received nothing, making only a combined profit of $4,100.[31] After the auction, TSB New Zealand (sponsor of the series) gifted Quinn and Ben, Maree and James & Stacey and Adam with $10,000 each for the hard work and failing to achieve a profit.[32]

HouseAuction SpotTeamReserveAuction ResultProfitTotal WinningsPlacing spot
12ndQuinn & Ben$1.199mPassed in$0$10,0003rd=
24thChloe & Ben$1.141m$1,145,000$4000$104,0001st
33rdMaree & James$1.152m$1,152,100$100$10,100 + a Suzuki Vitara JLX[33] 2nd
41stStacy & Adam$1.148mPassed in$0$10,0003rd=

Notes and References

  1. News: The Questionnaire: The Block NZ's Aaron Dolbel. i.stuff.co.nz . 25 June 2017. 25 June 2017. Smithies, Grant.
  2. Web site: The Block NZ's photo . Facebook.com . 20 May 2012 . 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!.
  3. News: Bargains on The Block . North Shore Times – via Stuff.co.nz . 31 May 2012 . 31 August 2014 . Hallahan, Marnie.
  4. Web site: About The Block NZ . tv3.co.nz . 31 August 2014.
  5. Web site: The Block NZ – leveraged to perfection . 21 October 2014 . Springall, Lesley.
  6. News: House Rules NZ coming in 2023 as The Block NZ postponed due to 'challenging' housing market. Newshub. Lucy. Thomson. 30 November 2022. 1 December 2022.
  7. Web site: The Block NZ is postponed due to 'challenging housing market'. Stuff. Colleen. Hawkes. 30 November 2022. 1 December 2022.
  8. Web site: The Block NZ cancelled as homes near completion. Stuff. Colleen. Hawkes. 14 May 2024. 14 May 2024.
  9. Web site: The Block NZ cancelled, won't return for new season. News Hub. Darren. Bevan. 14 May 2024. 14 May 2024.
  10. Web site: New Zealand axes local version of The Block. TV Tonight. David. Knox. 14 May 2024. 14 May 2024.
  11. News: TV3's The Block searching for contestants. 24 February 2012. 30 October 2016. newshub.co.nz.
  12. News: The Block NZ contestants revealed . 3news.co.nz . 21 June 2012 . 31 August 2014.
  13. Web site: The Block NZ photo . Facebook.com . 17 June 2012 . 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!.
  14. News: Meet the new Block NZ judges . . 10 July 2014 . 23 August 2014.
  15. Web site: Home.
  16. News: Lights, camera... DIY . 27 May 2012 . 31 August 2014.
  17. Web site: Q&A with The Block NZ Judges . tv3.co.nz . 31 August 2014.
  18. Web site: Home.
  19. News: The Block NZ 2017: Judges revealed. Newshub.
  20. News: The Block NZ contestants revealed . 3 News . 21 June 2012 . 17 August 2014.
  21. Web site: What we really don't want to see on The Block NZ. i.stuff.co.nz. 11 June 2021. 11 June 2021. Colleen. Hawkes.
  22. divided between each other for $52,000
  23. News: The Block gears up for Auckland inner-city sites . . 19 April 2015 . 19 April 2015.
  24. Web site: The Block NZ Villa Wars. 10 September 2015 . 24 August 2014 .
  25. Web site: CONTESTANT SEARCH: The Block NZ 2016. tv3.co.nz. TV3. 3 January 2016.
  26. News: The Block NZ: Girls Vs Boys. Newshub.
  27. News: Social media lashes out at two attempts to sell winning Block house. 17 September 2017. The New Zealand Herald. 18 September 2017. 1170-0777.
  28. Web site: The Block NZ's Mark Richardson reveals what's different about this year's show. i.stuff.co.nz. 18 June 2017. Stuff. 19 June 2017.
  29. News: The Block NZ heads to the North Shore. Newshub . 11 June 2017. 25 June 2017.
  30. Web site: Coronavirus: The Block NZ postponed till 2021 due to Covid-19. i.stuff.co.nz. 7 May 2020. 27 May 2020. Colleen. Hawkes.
  31. Web site: Shock on The Block NZ: Chloe and Ben win at auction amid tears and disappointment. i.stuff.co.nz. 9 October 2022. 10 October 2022. Colleen. Hawkes.
  32. News: The Block NZ: TSB giving three losing teams $10,000 each. newshub.co.nz. 11 October 2022. 20 October 2022. Rachel. Sadler. Newshub .
  33. as votes by the viewers