After 11 weeks of rough-and-ready DIY, the boys and girls of The Block NZ 2016 finally saw their houses go under the hammer!
During last night’s live auction finale, Palmerston North friends Sam Cable and Emmett Vallender took out the top sport, earning a hefty profit of $480,000 thanks to a whopping $1.61 million sale of their house.
While the boys were understandably ecstatic about walking away with the biggest profit ever in Block history, the other teams also nabbed their fair share of the spoils!
Emma Diamond and Courtney MacKay came in second place, selling their house for $1.51 million and earning a profit of $300,000 in the process.
Dylan Cossey and Dylan Guitink (better known as the duo Dyls and Dylz) were crowned People’s Choice Award winners and finished in third place, earning a profit of $151,000 from their $1.341 million sale.
Last but not least, design-savvy duo Niki Osborne and Tiffany Mair’s house sold for $1.32 million, leaving the pair with a profit of $150,000.
When we caught up with the group in the lead-up to the live auction on Sunday, August 14, they had plenty to say about their time on the popular TV3 reality series.
See more photos from our shoot with The Block stars here
In the lead up to the live auction finale on August 14, forensic scientist Niki told us that her plans after the show involved moving to the US to take up a post-doctorate research position at the University of California.
“But if a position on Dancing with the Stars comes up, I might stay!” she quipped.
Melbourne-based stylist and set dresser Tiffany told us that she and Niki were “incredible proud of every single space in the home” they worked so hard on.
Check out a behind the scenes video of our shoot in the next slide.
Behind-the-scenes of our glam Block shoot
However, her time on the show wasn’t always smooth sailing.
“I’m used to being behind the camera, so that has been difficult for me – being a celebrity is not what I came on this for,” she confessed.
For Blue Team Emma Diamond and Courtney MacKay, the experience of being on The Block has given them something even more than the satisfaction of completing a house and finishing up in second place.
“We’ve become really close with the other teams, and we’re totally going to hang out with them all in real life,” Courtney said.
Emma says the show gave her the push she needed to make a “massive life change”.
“I can’t wait to start stepping out of my comfort zone,” she told us.
After the auction, the Blue Team flatmates said they’d go back to living under the same roof as Courtney’s fiance, Highlanders lock Joe Wheeler – although the sleeping arrangements may have to change now that the girls are used to sleeping in the same bed.
“Joe might have to go in the spare room with the cat!” joked Courtney.
Emma and Courtney say they’ve formed life-long bonds with their fellow contestants.
The girls strike a pose for our camera.
Congratulations to the girls on all of their results last night!
Sam and his teammate Emmett were given the all-important decision of choosing the order for auction night.
The boys shocked many fans by announcing they had put themselves last – but the strategy definitely paid off!
The lovable larrikins walked away with a whopping $480,000 in profit thanks to an amazing sale of $1.61 million for their house.
Congrats to Sam and Emmett on their big win!
Dyls and Dylz walked away with People’s Choice Award on the night.
“The Block isn’t like a normal building site and I know Dyls gets stressed, but he always cools down,” says Dylz. “I’m really proud of him.”
The show was especially tough on Dyls, who found himself entangled in on-set drama at several points throughout the competition.
“I’ve learnt more managerial skills and how to work in a high-pressure situation while keeping a cool head,” Dyls told us of how the show affected him.
The boys strike a pose for the camera.
Best buds! When the going got tough, Dyls and Dylz could always rely on each other.
Don’t they look dapper! The boys suit up for our Woman’s Day photo shoot.
Congratulations to all of the teams on their hard work on The Block NZ this year!
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