Photography: Matt Klitscher.
As the competition heats up, the final four castaways are spilling the behind-the-scenes secrets, emotional turning points and strategic moves that got them to the end. From fierce rivalries and shocking regrets to late-night campfire confessions, the remaining players reveal what really went down on Celebrity Treasure Island.
Nix Adams, 39
Social media superstar
What’s your secret to making it to the final four?
Being someone who people feel comfortable with – being real, whether it’s good or bad. I wanted to always remain true to my integrity and core moral values. However, I found out this game has ways of testing this to the ultimate.
What’s been your proudest moment on the show?
Probably just navigating my way to the final four. It felt as if I was walking through pits of fire, not having certainty and just needing to quickly discover the safest steps for my survival. Therefore, I’m pretty proud of my ability to be strategic enough to read the gameplay.
And what has been your toughest moment?
Wearing my heart on my sleeve and expecting it in return. It took me a lot of time to realise this is indeed a game and also that others were ready at the drop of a hat to throw people under the bus. I couldn’t fathom the idea for a solid while, but I soon came to the conclusion it’s eat or be eaten.
What’s your biggest regret?
I honestly don’t think I have any. Of course, I’ll always wish I won a challenge, but I’m content with knowing I gave it my best and, to be honest,
I knew I was shit physically before I left my doorstep!
Who’s your toughest competition in the final four?
Louis. He’s physically stronger and quite intelligent, but I feel like he lacks ability in puzzle solving. I’m not saying I’m Albert Einstein, but I’m ready to give him a go in the upcoming challenges.
Can you share a special behind-the- scenes moment?
The time that me, Georgia, Liv and Te Ao asked Ria to come into the water to form an alliance. She said, “Um, I’ll think about it,” then got out. I was like, “OK, we just got rejected!” Then she went to put sunscreen on Ben’s back and I thought “Oh, shit! She’s telling him!”
Georgia Lines, 29
Singer-songwriter
What’s your secret to making it to the final four?
Honestly, I’m pretty shocked, so I don’t know if there’s any real secret, but bringing the wa¯hine together and forming the all-female alliance is a huge part of why I’ve made it this far.
What’s been your proudest moment on the show?
I came into this experience feeling really nervous and afraid of how I might be portrayed on reality TV. I still feel incredibly vulnerable. Every day, the game changes and nothing ever feels guaranteed. But I remember this moment where I thought, “If I don’t start having fun and actually playing this game, I’m going to get eliminated and regret not fully throwing myself into the experience.” That shift in mindset was probably my proudest moment – it felt like an internal switch.
And what has been your toughest moment?
Putting Ria into elimination against Louis. Based on my first impression of the challenge, I believed Ria gave us the best chance of beating Louis. It was hard not having the chance to properly talk things through with the girls. It went against every fibre of my being to move away from the plan we’d talked through, but I truly believed I was making the best decision. It was really difficult and emotional.
What’s your biggest regret?
Honestly, I don’t feel like I left the game with regrets. I threw myself into every challenge and really tried to play it best as I could.
Who’s your toughest competition in the final four?
Louis, for sure. He plays the game with a huge amount of strategy and was a strong player from the beginning. Unfortunately for him, our wāhine alliance is very focused on trying to take him out because we’re so committed to guaranteeing a female winner. But having a male in the
final four automatically makes him the toughest competition.
Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment?
At the end of every day, once the cameras are gone, we all sit around the fire and just talk, which is my favourite part of the experience. There’s nothing else to do – no phones, social media or other technology distracting us – so we just sit there for hours debriefing, sharing stories, and talking about our lives and families. We’ve formed such special friendships and I genuinely can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this present.
Louis Davis, 31
Social media superstar
What’s your secret to making the final four?
Lowering my threat level and just cruising – not trying to be a hero or trying to make any big moves. I’m just hanging out, enjoying the vibes and trying not to be perceived as a threat.
What’s been your proudest moment on the show?
I feel most proud to represent my charity, Te Ora Hou, which supports rangatahi to make sure they get a fair crack at life. They made a real big impact on my dad and changed the whole trajectory of his life. Because of their mahi, I got to have the best dad ever.
And your toughest moment?
Definitely saying goodbye to Frank Bunce. It was such a privilege to get to know him. The way Frank listened and his advice were always powerful. Eliminating him was incredibly difficult and from that moment, all the fun was gone.
What’s your biggest regret?
I should’ve thrown that challenge I played for Kāhu. If I’d done that, seven of the top eight would’ve been from our original team, Tākapu, which is pretty impressive. But when I got traded, I thought the right thing to do was play hard and do my best. If I could go back in time, I would’ve thrown it.
Who’s your toughest competition in the final four?
George is just a weapon. She’s so low-key about it, but she’s a challenge beast. She smiles, she’s great at puzzles and has a great social game. She’s my favourite to take it out.
Who did you butt heads with the most?
Towards the end, Ria had her gameplay and it was really sad for us to part ways like we did – so tense, angry and sad. But we’ve patched things up and she’s still very special to me. I’m a competitor, so I respect her strategy and know where that energy comes from.
Can you share a special behind-the- scenes moment?
Sitting around a fire with these people and connecting with them. I’ll be grateful for this experience for the rest of my life. Nix has one of the most incredible stories. She’s a great human. It’s a privilege to know her. By the time Nix’s adventure is done, she will be Dame Nicola Adams one day.
I’m calling it!
Liv Parker, 30
Actress & comedian
What’s your secret to making it to the final four?
It’s the connections I made on the island. I’m definitely aware I’m not the strongest, fittest, smartest or most game-savvy in the group, but making these genuine friendships and allies has really helped.
What’s been your proudest moment on the show?
I feel proud of the fact I’m just unapologetically myself. Yes, I’ve cried a lot – I’m a sensitive girlie who cries to process and I can laugh at myself about that. But there’s no shame in all the tears and I feel proud I haven’t tried to hide who I am, even if it’s not perceived as strong. This whole experience has shown me there can be strength in having a softer heart.
Your toughest moment?
Just navigating all my internal head noise across the whole journey. I’ve wrestled with anxiety since I was a kid, so that and being a chronic people pleaser isn’t a great combination on Celebrity Treasure Island. I rely on my partner and family a lot in terms of support when I come up against my own mental blocks.
What’s your biggest regret?
The hell that was Mercy Card-gate! It’s impossible to not think about all the things I could and would’ve done differently – easy to think in hindsight, with a clear head and a full belly, though.
Who’s your toughest competition in the final four?
Louis, Nix and Georgia are all beautifully fierce competitors in their own right. But my dear mate Louis “Godfather” Davis is pretty unstoppable.
Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment?
When Polly Gillespie was still at camp, we’d have our nightly walk to the toilet and she’d always tell me some outrageous story that made me laugh so hard. Also, after the merge, a possum slept on me. No exaggeration – I woke up to a possum sitting on me! I had nightmares about possums for weeks after.
My favourite part, though, is every night after the crew goes, we sit around the campfire for hours and share stories, learning more about each other and our lives at home. I’ve never felt so present in my life. They’re the precious moments I’ll always cherish.
Celebrity Treasure Island screens 7.30pm Monday to Wednesday on TVNZ 2 and streams on TVNZ+.
