Anne Hegerty has a confession to make. She’s talking to the Weekly a couple of days before filming The Chase New Zealand – the Kiwi version of the hit TV show that made her a household name – and she admits she hasn’t yet had the chance to swot up on knowledge about Aotearoa.
Anne, who’s appearing on the four special episodes alongside The Chase Australia star Issa Schultz, worries she could be caught out if she doesn’t get on with some intensive research.
“It’s just dawned on Issa and me that we’re going to be expected to know things like Māori names,” says Anne, 67, chatting from across the Tasman, where she visits regularly to work on the Aussie version of the show.
“We’re going to have to do some hasty homework over the next few days!”
No hesitation from The Governess
When asked to extend her stay in Australia to film the New Zealand episodes with host Paul Henry, The Governess said yes without a second thought.
“I said, ‘Absolutely. Try and stop me!’” she exclaims.
She’s been so busy that she’s left her Kiwi research to the last minute. One topic she’ll be studying is our pop culture.
“I’m quite good on that at home, but I haven’t been paying attention to the New Zealand scene,” she reflects.
“I know the name Lorde and that’s about it.”
Pop quiz with The Governess
She agrees to try answering some questions from quizzes that have run in the Weekly and gets off to a good start. When asked which TV show featured the line, “You’re not in Guatemala now, Dr Ropata,” she answers, “Shortland Street,” then admits it was a guess.
She misses the mark with the next question about which movie Taika Waititi won his Oscar.
“Oh, he’s done so many good movies,” she muses. “I’m just trying to think which one he got the Oscar for. Not Jojo Rabbit.”
Actually, it was Jojo Rabbit – Taika won for Best Adapted Screenplay.
“I shall have to remember that,” promises Anne.
Sweet surprises and kiwi treats
The next one’s near impossible for a non-Kiwi: What New Zealand-made food product did Rachel Hunter promote in the TV commercial that launched her modelling career? Anne has to pass as she has no idea what a Trumpet ice cream is, but files away that information for future.
“That sounds nice,” she shares, after hearing a description of the iconic treat.
“I’m going to try one of those if I ever get to New Zealand again!”
Anne’s only trip here was in 2018 and she’s keen to come back.
“I had a lovely time,” she recalls.
“I hadn’t realised how popular The Chase is in New Zealand. I had all sorts of people recognising me and they seemed very pleased to see me. And because I am so vain and shallow, that was just great. I would love to repeat that.”
Plan B (just in case)
She’d be especially happy if she got to return to film more episodes of The Chase New Zealand and says she’s very grateful for all the opportunities she’s had since joining the UK show 15 years ago. She has no intention of ever leaving, but should the show come to an end, there is a plan B.
“I’d like to act,” reveals Anne, who was previously a journalist and proofreader.
“I rather enjoy that.”
She’s recently filmed a part in an indie movie called Deadcast, about a pair of podcasters who investigate the supernatural. She plays a woman who claims to have seen a UFO. It’s her second movie for the same production team. Last year, she was a nosy neighbour in their short film Exorcising Barry, but she does have previous acting experience.
“I’ve been doing pantomime every Christmas for the past 12 years and that’s great fun,” she shares.
“It’s a decent earner. I’ve also signed up to a voiceover agency. I’d love to get work from it.”
But for now, The Chase remains her priority.
“I still pinch myself that I get to do this,” she grins.
Quick Fire
People would be surprised to know…
That I’m not as posh as they think. Brits think I sound posh, but my father was a carpet fitter and when there weren’t enough carpets to fit, he drove minicabs.
When the contestants win really large amounts of money…
It doesn’t bother me. It’s not my money, so it’s not my problem.
I don’t know if I’m still one of top women quizzers in the world…
I couldn’t do the most recent world championships because I was working, so I’m not sure what my ranking is. There’s a brilliant American who is stormingly good, so I’m never going to be the best female quizzer unless I take out a contract on her! She’s quite a nice person, so I probably won’t.
The Chase New Zealand screens Mondays at 7.30pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
