Meet the castaways: Celebrity Treasure Island 2026 contestants revealed

Why did you sign up for this?

After the comedown of the Rugby World Cup, playing in front of 82,000 people, I was looking for a new challenge – something completely different and out of my comfort zone. Then this came up and you couldn’t get any further out of my comfort zone! I’m excited to represent the people I hold close to my heart, like wāhine Māori and the rainbow community.

What strengths will you bring to your team?

Apart from my physicality, I don’t have a lot of talents, except for burping on cue. I don’t know how that’s going to help on the island, but I’m also good at connecting with people.

Why did you sign up for a second stint?

I’m asking myself the same thing! I guess I’ve become a bit socially reclusive, so this is a really big thing for me to do. But I spoke with my daughters, who said, “Dad, do it! All you’re doing at the moment is work, going to the gym and watching Netflix.” I’m at the stage where I’ve got to give it a crack.

What are your memories from the first time?

Losing 10kg in two weeks – I don’t want to do that this time! Also, Lana Coc-Kroft nearly dying from coral poisoning and building relationships with people from completely different walks of life.

Why did you sign up for this?

I always really enjoyed watching the show and thought it’d be a unique experience. Why would you say no to going to a beach to make friends?!

What strengths will you bring to your team?

I can talk a lot and if I have to lie for the sake of the game, I’ll be able to talk my way out of it. Lying is part of my strategy. Everyone’s gonna lie!

What’s the toughest challenge you’ve ever faced?

A couple of years ago, after becoming somewhat successful with TikTok and acting gigs, I really struggled with tall-poppy syndrome. People were trying to pull me down.

Why did you sign up for this?

I couldn’t say no to the opportunity. I go with wherever life takes me as there must be a reason for it. I’m gonna make the most of it.

What strengths will you bring to your team?

I’m a great cheerleader and I’ll be supporting my team the whole way, even if I get eliminated. Also, I grew up with three brothers, so I’m extremely stubborn and I fight for what I want.

What’s the toughest challenge you’ve ever faced?

I struggled with panic attacks about two years ago. I went through a really bad six months of constant bouts. At my lowest point, I didn’t know what I was going to do.

Why did you sign up for this?

I loved school camp and love just being in a camping scenario, so I felt like this would be a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Who knows how I’m going to grow and what I’m going to learn about myself? Hopefully, I’ll win some money for my charity too!

What strengths will you bring to your team?

I like following rules. I’m a classic eldest child with a high level of responsibility!

And your weaknesses?

Bring ruthless just isn’t in my nature. I really care about people, to the point of being a people pleaser. I don’t like to rock the boat.

Why did you sign up for this?

I really wanted to pull myself out of my comfort zone because I feel like I haven’t for a while. It’s just a new, different experience. I’ve never done reality TV before.

What strengths will you bring to your team?

I feel like I’m bright and I can be quite determined. I’m hopefully OK at puzzles – I enjoy them and my brain likes figuring things out. And I’m fit, mentally and physically.

And your weaknesses?

I get freezing really easily and I malfunction. My fingers and toes feel like they’re going to fall off, and I can’t warm up. I’m really worried about that.

Why did you sign up for a second stint?

I had a positive experience the first time. I really enjoyed it and met good people who I’m still friends with. When this came up, I thought, “I could do that again!” I’m not overly competitive, but it’s an adventure.

What are your memories from the first time?

Just sitting around the campfire, chatting with Dominic Bowden and Cocksy [late celebrity builder John Cocks]. I was 20 years younger, so I could put up with a lot. There was a fire that got out of control and we had to help put it out. We got given food as a thank you for helping.

Why did you sign up for this?

This is my first foray into reality TV and it could be a lot of fun. I’m comfortable enough with who I am that I can play this game without just serving comedy, although I’m very scared about drama and seeing where I fit in – that’s a very mysterious place for me.

What strengths will you bring to your team?

I can shove a condom up my nose and make it come out my mouth, but I don’t know if there’ll be much condom usage on this island. I mean, have you seen how much plastic there is in the ocean?!

Why did you sign up for this?

I’m getting to the age where I’m like, “Fk it! Take every opportunity. You’re only here once. The clock ain’t going backwards, girlfriend. Get in there and give it a go. Who gives a fk if you don’t win it? If you do, choice. If you don’t, f**k it – you gave it a go.”

What strengths will you bring to your team?

Well, I’m one of the oldest and I’ve got my shit in order. I like things to be structured, and I’m not afraid to have the hard conversations and settle disputes. But does my team want a matriarch or do they want to be the naughty kids who get rid of Mum?

Why did you sign up for this?

I said no the first time. I was like, “I’m not a reality show person.” I don’t even watch reality shows – they’re too stressful for me. But then I realised this would be filmed at a beautiful location, where I’d get to hang out with really cool fellow entertainers and play a bunch of games to win money for charity. I couldn’t say no to using whatever clout I have to help people.

What strengths will you bring to your team?

I have a little more survival skills than a lot of my team. I grew up diving, fishing, hunting and camping on the East Coast. I’m familiar with thriving in an environment like this.

Why did you sign up for this?

Oh, I’m a games maniac. I love the aspect of competing and going hard to win something. I want to win. Also, I love the outdoors and the moana – I’m from Northland/ Te Tai Tokerau.

Will that give you an advantage?

Well, I’m a diver and I’m in the moana all the time. If we get sick of rice, hopefully I can catch us kina and maybe some cheeky pāua.

What are your weaknesses?

You get real popular real fast if you snore, eh? I might have to sleep outside so I don’t make any enemies.

Why did you sign up for this?

It wasn’t an immediate yes for me. I had to consult with my mum and my grandma, and get their opinions, but I ended up deciding that it was a good opportunity to make an impact for my charity, Big Buddy. It offers positive male role models to young guys between the ages of seven and 14, which are really crucial years. Also, I really wanted to challenge myself, and see how I could handle these kind of conditions and the dynamics of all of these extroverted people. I’m quite introverted, so it’ll be interesting to see how I go.

Why did you sign up for this?

I’m sick of saying no to life. After lockdown, a lot of people burst out of their houses to join CrossFit and take up Highland dancing or whatever, but I became a little bit more reserved. I was going to say no to this because I was scared, but then I thought, “No, I can’t spend my life being afraid of things.”

What’s the toughest challenge you’ve ever faced?

Losing my sister. It was a challenge getting through that. It still hurts. People talk about closure, but there’s no closure around some things. Motherhood is another pretty big challenge when you’ve got three kids and you have a full-time job.

Why did you sign up for this?

Oh, man, it’s something that I never actually thought would happen. Growing up, I watched all these reality shows, so when they asked, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I still feel like a bit of a fraud as I don’t think of myself as a celebrity. Like, I’ve watched all these other guys on TV. I’m a massive sports fan and Frank Bunce is on my team!

What strengths will you bring to your team?

The energy! I’m all about helping my teammates and working out how we can be better. I also think I’ve got a little bit of an athletic ability and I love a physical challenge.

Why did you sign up for this?

Because it terrified me, honestly, but it’s also so exciting and fun. And when do you ever get the opportunity to go completely off the grid and hand in your phone in a safe, controlled environment? When I got the call, I was immediately terrified, so I knew I had to do it. Hopefully I’ll also raise some money for charity and make some unlikely friendships.

What strengths will you bring to your team?

Hopefully, vibes. Also, it might sound lame, but I think I’m a good friend. But I’m not so good at confrontation and I can be a bit of a people pleaser.

Why did you sign up for this?

I wanted to take part in CTI because it was a chance to raise awareness and – just as importantly – money for my charity, Heart Kids NZ. I’ve been involved with them as an ambassador and have seen first-hand the incredible work they do supporting children born with congenital heart defects. Being able to represent them on the show means a lot to me.

What strengths will you bring to your team?

I’m a solid all-rounder. It’s funny because when you’re an actor, you often find yourself performing these physical tasks you’d never imagine doing, like wielding a broadsword or doing a crazy stunt. But then when it comes to holding a drink or pulling out a chair like a normal person on screen, it can seem impossible!