When Blair Strang got the call up for Celebrity Treasure Island, he said yes not only because he likes a spot of adventure, but because it was a chance to support a charity close to his heart.
The former Shortland Street star’s charity is the New Zealand Dementia Foundation, which he chose because his mum Anne Strang has the disease, so he has first-hand knowledge of the toll it can take on the patient and their family.
“It’s a tough time and a lot of families go through it,” says Blair, 51. “It’s sad to see family go down that path, particularly my mother because she was the matriarch and a school teacher. It’s not easy.”
Anne and his dad Bill, who also has some health issues, have been living with Blair, who recently took a six-month break from his work as a Family Court lawyer to care for them.
“They’re 88 and 80, so it’s that time for me and my family to look after them. Mum had a cornea transplant, so I was administering six eye drops a day for a while. But she’s doing well. She’s a soldier. She’s the one who’s 88, not Dad. She married a toy boy!”
Blair’s parents Bill and Anne in 2023 (left) and 2018. The doting son says, “I love her and she will always be looked after.”
Blair did wonder if he’d be able to leave them to film Treasure Island, but his brother Mark helped with their care. His family thought he should go for it, especially his son Steel, 25.
“He’s all for it,” tells Blair. “He said, ‘Dad, you’ve got to do it.'” He’s close to his only child, who works in retail.
“He doesn’t live with me any more – he left a couple of years ago,” shares Blair. “But we ring each other pretty much every day and I catch up with him at least once a week. I suffered terrible empty nest syndrome when he moved out. He needed to move on – it was the best thing for him – but I was quite emotional about it.
“He’s a very independent and well-rounded young man. We’ve become best friends really, but I’m also his dad when he needs that.”
With his biggest fan, son Steel. “We’re best friends,” says the proud dad.
Blair juggles parenting and looking after his own parents with his work as both a lawyer and an actor. Since leaving Shortland Street in 2001, after his six-year stint as ambulance driver Rangi Heremaia, he’s done a variety of acting jobs, including playing Brian on Nothing Trivial and making guest appearances in shows like My Life is Murder, Go Girls and The Brokenwood Mysteries. He’s also had his own theatre company.
“I’m always in the acting world, whether it’s television or theatre. And there seems to be a lot more opportunities in television and film at the moment, so I’ve been getting a few dad roles, which is nice.”
He also qualified as a lawyer and enjoys his work in the Family Court.
“It’s a good area because you’re helping out families and doing your best to look after kids,” he says. “The pure essence of Family Court is the welfare and best interest of the child, and I love that concept. Parents can get a bit lost because they are caught up in their adult issues with each other and if I can help them focus on that, then that’s a good thing.”
Despite leaving Shorty 22 years ago, people still remember him as Rangi.
As Rangi on Shorty with co-star Stephanie Tauevihi.
“Shortland Street is such a huge beast in this country that it never really leaves you,” he muses. “There’s always someone who remembers you from when they were growing up. People often confuse me with someone they went to college with and I have to say, ‘No, I did not go to your college.’
“Every now and then people come up to me and say hello, and I give them time and say hello back. I don’t mind it. I don’t think about it much because in Family Court, the judges keep it pretty real, so it keeps you grounded.”
Reality TV is a new challenge for Blair.
“I know you’re putting yourself out there and you’re pretty vulnerable. There will be times when you’re not going to look great, or there’s a challenge that baffles you or you can’t meet it physically, but I accept that. I like being part of a team – I play rugby and cricket – and we’ve got a great bunch on Treasure Island.”
Blair goes to the gym and tries to stay in shape, but he’s not as active as he’d like.
“When I was younger, I used to run a lot to keep to a certain weight, but now I think, ‘I might have those Tim Tams!'”
Turning 50 last year inspired him to try new things.
“You tend to reflect a lot when you get to that age, and thinking about what’s important and what makes you happy. It’s made me want to do things that are different. That’s why I’m here. I thought, ‘I’m in my 50s, why not?’ I might not get this opportunity when I’m older.”
