Mark your calendars, because the hotly anticipated second season of Married at First Sight NZ is about to hit out TV screens.
Before the show premieres on Sunday September 30th, the 12 hopefuls gathered in the Woman’s Day studio for an exclusive photo shoot and interview.
Will any of the couples find lasting love like Brett and Angel? We can’t wait to find out. In the mean time, let’s meet the brave singles.
Dan McLaughlan, 30 – Electrician, Wellington
How would your friends describe you?
Positive, happy, laughs a lot, reliable and trustworthy.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone who is cute, with a nice smile.
What’s a deal-breaker for you?
Laziness, someone who isn’t willing to try new things, a person who is covered in tattoos or anyone who has already started a family with someone else.
Why did you apply for MAFS?
I’ve tried other dating avenues over the years and haven’t clicked with anyone. I didn’t expect to get through, but I thought, “What have I got to lose?”
What advice did your family give you?
Keep your head up and be yourself.
Click here to see Dan’s wedding.
Julia Malley, 32 – Account Manager, Christchurch
How would your friends describe you?
Bubbly, passionate, driven, extroverted, caring, thoughtful and emotionally intelligent.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone smart, kind and passionate, who knows how to show empathy, has a good sense of humour and, most importantly, loves me for who I am.
Have you ever been in love?
Yes, I’ve had two healthy long-term relationships. One was French and one was American. Both ended on good terms.
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
Surprised them by flying halfway across the world.
Click here to see Julia’s wedding or click here to see which other MAFS groom Julia once dated.
Dave McClelland, 44 – Entrepreneur, Dunedin
How would your friends describe you?
Hilarious, generous, caring, confident and honest.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone who smiles with their eyes, and is funny, energetic, driven, passionate and loyal.
What’s a deal-breaker for you?
A liar who’s lazy, arrogant, high-maintenance and selfish.
Why did you apply for MAFS?
It’s an amazing opportunity to meet the woman of my dreams and share a memorable experience.
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
Flown her in a helicopter for lunch.
Click here to see Dave’s wedding or click here to hear Dave’s post-MAFS thoughts on marriage to Julia, attraction, being friend-zoned and finding the woman of his dreams.
Monique Lee, 25 – Teacher, Christchurch
How would your friends describe you?
Effervescent, bubbly, a silly sausage, outgoing and fun.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone who deeply cares about his friends and family – and hopefully his partner too! I’m hoping for a cutie with a warm smile, who’s taller than me and around my age.
Why did you apply for MAFS?
My friends suggested I’d be perfect for it. I love an adventure and I’m quite bored of the whole dating game. I want to settle down with someone who’s ready to get married through such a novel and exciting bonding experience.
What’s your hidden talent?
I can tap dance – not very well, but passable!
Click here to see Monique’s wedding.
Fraser Pearce, 27 – Policy Analyst, Wellington
How would your friends describe you?
A massive goofball who’s loyal, understanding and compassionate.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone who makes me a better person, with a great smile, decent eyebrows and curves in all the right places. Preferably not too short.
What’s a deal-breaker for you?
I’ve had family members suffer from significant health problems from weight-related issues, so that’s something less attractive to me.
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for someone?
Probably booking and planning an entire holiday to Thailand and Cambodia.
Click here to see Fraser’s wedding.
Ottie Schwartz, 32 – Promotions Manager, Christchurch
How would your friends describe you?
Crazy and beautiful in equal amounts.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Black humour, honesty, independence and adventure. The more tattoos, the merrier. He should have a sense of style and a wild look in his eyes.
What’s a deal-breaker for you?
Bad breath and the wrong shoes.
Why did you apply for MAFS?
Peer pressure, a lust for adventure and true love, of course!
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
Romance is an attitude – it’s for every day.
What’s your hidden talent?
I make people laugh – mostly at me!
Click here to see Ottie’s wedding or here to hear about her plastic surgery regrets.
Samuel Levi, 25 – Fashion Influencer, Auckland
How would your friends describe you?
I’m very giving, the life of the party and wise beyond my years.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone who is not afraid to express their feelings, good or bad. Key qualities are a great sense of humour and a love of adventure. I’m looking for someone with a bit of facial hair, a few tattoos and an inviting smile.
What’s a deal-breaker for you?
No fashion style, dirty shoes and a loud, annoying laugh. Someone who doesn’t keep physically fit or eats a lot of junk food. Someone who has a rude attitude or negative outlook on life. Someone who hates travel.
Click here to see Sam’s wedding or click here to hear about Sam’s social media following.
Ksenia Smorodinova, 33 – Sales Manager, Auckland
How would your friends describe you?
Funny, bubbly and positive.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone who is loving, considerate and caring. He should be tall, with a good physique – not skinny – and he needs to have a nice smile.
What’s a deal-breaker for you?
A short man with bad teeth and bad skin. Someone who’s vulgar, mean, sarcastic, up themselves, stingy or selfish.
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
Made dinner, got him a present and written nice words in a card.
What advice did your family give you?
Go for it!
Click here to see Ksenia’s wedding or click here to hear about Ksenia’s regret after watching herself on TV.
Gareth Noble, 26 – Apprentice Barber, Cromwell
How would your friends describe you?
Cheeky, confident, fun and friendly.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone relaxed but adventurous, with a big smile and beautiful eyes. A nice body would be a plus, but a happy, positive person would be amazing.
Why did you apply for MAFS?
I’m at a place where I’m very happy and I’d like to have someone to share that with.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
I believe in lust at first sight and that can be built into love.
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
Bought them flowers, taken them out for dinner and treated them right.
Click here to see Gareth’s wedding.
Yuki Sato, 31 – Hairdresser, Christchurch
How would your friends describe you?
Sunshine, happy, positive, ambitious and “crasian” – crazy Asian!
What are you looking for in a partner?
Tall and handsome, plus a full head of hair.
What’s a deal-breaker for you?
Rudeness, laziness, bad haircut, bad teeth and white socks.
Why did you apply for MAFS?
One of my clients told me to. I’ve failed many times and thought expert help could be just what I need.
What advice did your family give you?
If this doesn’t work out, you can laugh about it when you’re older.
What’s your hidden talent?
I can speak English so well after three beers!
Click here to see Yuki’s wedding. or click here to hear Yuki’s story of how a destructive past relationship destroyed her confidence and self-esteem.
Wayne McIntosh, 32 – Helicopter Engineer, Taranaki
How would your friends describe you?
Legend! And they’d probably call me a dickhead, but then say I love to have fun.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone honest, genuine, happy, fun and adventurous.
What’s a deal-breaker for you?
A boring personality – there’s got to be substance. Also if they’re an Auckland Blues supporter.
Why did you apply for MAFS?
It was the right time and I was in the right place mentally.
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
Probably just romantic weekends away, wining and dining them.
Click here to see Wayne’s wedding or hear about Wayne’s tragic childhood here
Tayler Morgan, 29 – Apprentice Electrician, Christchurch
How would your friends describe you?
Loving, confident, strong-minded, caring and hard-working.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone good-looking and family-oriented, who cares for others and themselves, and isn’t too shy to get down and dirty! Nice hair, an amazing smile and stunning eyes.
What’s a deal-breaker for you?
Bad personal hygiene, a bad attitude or someone who’s too skinny or overweight. I don’t like piercings, especially facial ones.
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
I once made 12 napkin roses – it’s the thought that counts!
Click to see Tayler’s wedding or click here to hear about how Tayler faced death as a child.
