On a show like Celebrity Treasure Island, where famous Kiwi castaways push themselves to their mental and physical limits to win $100,000 for their favourite charity, actor and former Muay Thai fighter Eds Eramiha is a strong contender – literally!
The 35-year-old film and TV star, who played the leading role of gang leader Kingi Duncan in the 2021 show Vegas, worked with a trainer to pack on a muscular 25 kilos for the part, and coming into Treasure Island, he is in the best physical shape of his life.
“It was a good challenge,” smiles Eds, who is of Ngāpuhi descent. “Before Vegas, I only had six weeks to gain the weight, so my coach had me eating 3500 calories every day.
Eds bulked up for his role in Vegas alongside Cian Elyse White.
“In the first week, I was spewing, I was going white, my coach almost had to force-feed me, but I got used to it. I went from 80 to 105 kilos, which is the size I wanted to be for the role,” says Eds, adding that even when he isn’t working out for a part, exercise is a key part of his life, for more than its physical benefits.
“Training is the number-one healer for me and my mental health,” shares The Dead Lands star. “It’s what keeps my mind safe and my thoughts clear.”
Still recovering from the loss of an irreplaceable figure in his life, Eds hopes his experiences on Treasure Island will be an inspiration to people struggling with their mental health.
Eds suffered a huge blow when his beloved grandmother Wharepaia Eramiha passed away in 2020.
“She was my mum and dad – she was my rock,” shares Eds. “She raised me from when I was a baby. I didn’t know who my parents were until I was six or seven.
“Losing someone so huge in your life, who you looked up to, to have that taken away – I’m still recovering from it all. I want to help people realise that it’s OK, we can get through this. Yes, you should have your time to grieve, but you also eventually have to physically get up and do something. That’s the way to heal yourself and help others who are struggling as well.”
Beloved Wharepaia “raised me from when I was a baby”.
The chance to support the Mental Health Foundation, his charity of choice on CTI, is the main reason Eds was keen to put his survival skills to the test on the TVNZ 2 show – and the actor is not above doing what it takes to bring home the cash for the organisation he’s so passionate about.
“I know how to switch it on and off,” says Eds, hinting his acting skills might be used to his advantage in the competition.
“Because as an actor I am so open to twists and turns – we’re always getting a lot thrown at us – we’re more adaptable.
We can read people, we can analyse really well, it’s just actors’ instinct.”
Eds, whose love of performing started with pōwhiri on his marae and learning kapa haka in his hometown of Kaikohe, is grateful for the career that has seen him act alongside some of New Zealand’s biggest and brightest, such as Temuera Morrison, Rena Owen and Cliff Curtis.
“The highlight of my career has been learning from these greats and listening to their advice,” he marvels. “Because I’m from Kaikohe, these are ta-ngata rongonui – the big stars. I’m ta-ngata rongonui too, but I’m a little star!”
Given the dramatic nature of most of his latest roles, Eds is amused to find himself on Celebrity Treasure Island’s “Hard Case” team. “I love a good laugh, but I was like, ‘Oh, really?'” he chuckles.
With his “Hard Case” Treasure Island teammates.
And while the sight of the hunky Kiwi star in his desert island apparel is bound to attract plenty of admirers, Eds has got his eye on the prize – taking home that cash for his charity!
“I’m very focused,” smiles Eds. “But when it comes to romance, I’m more of a ‘if the universe makes it happen, it happens’ kind of guy.”
Celebrity Treasure Island screens Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on TVNZ 2.
