Kiwis have been hooked on the latest season of Celebrity Treasure Island New Zealand and the winner will be revealed tonight!
Woman’s Day caught up with the final six to get all the goss on what really happened behind the scenes.
LANCE SAVALI:
What was your strategy going in?
I didn’t have a game plan! My first goal was just not to be the first one eliminated and then I had somewhat of an alliance with Art Green, but as the game went on, Chris Parker, Brynley Stent and I came together like magnets, like life-long best friends who’d never met before. We’re life-long best mates now.
What was your greatest challenge on the show?
Honestly, the hardest moment for me was seeing Joe Naufahu leave because of his mother needing him back home. He’s such a good friend of mine and it really affected me to see him so upset. It was early on, but it was so hard for me. Emotions were through the roof already!
What was your highlight?
Winning that waterslide charity challenge because I hadn’t won anything for my charity yet and it’s the whole reason I was doing this pirate game!
What surprised you the most?
Just how invested we got into the game as it went along. Watching reality TV, you see people cry and you laugh at how emotional they get, but when you’re stripped away from your normal life, it gets intense.
Who did you most enjoy getting to know?
Chris. He’s just such a good dude. He’s a light! We connected on a whole other level. We were able to laugh, have really deep talks and learn about each other.
Who did you most butt heads with?
At first, I butted heads with Edna Swart a lot, but as the game went on, it was great getting to know who she really is. I really grew to love her. She’s such a good person who wears her heart on her sleeve. I learnt a lot about myself as our relationship grew throughout the game.
What’s it been like watching the show at home?
I love it! My friends and I are constantly yelling at the TV. They give me s**t if I do something snakey or if I lose a challenge. It’s hilarious.
What would it mean to win $100k for your charity?
That would be epic! I go through my challenges with heart disease, but there are people who need the money more than me and the Heart Foundation could do a lot with it.
JESS TYSON
What was your strategy?
To stay quiet so I wouldn’t become a target. It worked out pretty well for me to reach this far! I’m so excited to make the final six as I didn’t expect myself to be a strong player in the game.
What was your greatest challenge on the show?
The mental side of the game and making alliances. I’m the type of person who wants to be friends with everyone, so I found it hard to choose sides, especially after the merge. When people are blindsided on the game, it’s very shocking. The moment Ange Bloomfield confronted me about whose team I was on after Lance chose to save me from the elimination battle was very awkward!
What was your highlight?
Every moment after winning a team challenge! The feeling of winning as a team is something you can’t describe when we’re all jumping and hugging because of how excited we are!
Who did you most enjoy getting to know?
Since I was a competitive swimmer growing up and Anna Simcic is a former Olympic swimmer, I was really drawn to her. We also have similar personalities, so we automatically became close friends and formed an alliance. I could always trust her. I don’t think the relationship I had with Anna has been shown much on the show. We had each other’s backs.
Who did you most butt heads with?
I didn’t butt heads with anyone, but I did confront Lance about blindsiding people and lying
What’s it been like watching the show at home?
It’s been really fun because the show is hilarious. I love watching all of the silly things we did!
What would it mean to win $100k for your charity?
It would be life-changing for me since I am the founder of Brave. I also work as a news reporter, so winning $100k would allow me to work part-time as a reporter and part-time on Brave to help develop it even more. We could visit more communities to teach people about sexual harm and help the people affected.
EDNA SWART
What was your strategy?
I never thought I’d ever be considered for this show, let alone come this far, so my game play at the start was just to sit back and scope out all the players. As the show progressed, I started making moves, however, I really didn’t think I was such a threat to people. I thought I was playing it cool!
What was your highlight?
Going against Richie Barnett in the endurance challenge, even though I lost! This was the only challenge that truly tested my physical limits and I have so much respect for Richie because he actually played the game.
What was your greatest challenge?
Living quarters aside, the biggest challenge was always having to be on. You couldn’t escape the game and when I thought I had for a moment, I’d turn and find a camera had been pointing at me for the past hour. Then I’d have to sit there and reflect on what the hell I just did or said!
Who did you most enjoy getting to know?
At first, Kim Crossman was very intimidated by me and wanted everyone to vote me out, but she was one of the very few who got to know me and apologised for judging me. That’s big for someone to do. She is a true sweetheart and we had so much in common. I wish we’d have become friends earlier.
Who did you most butt heads with?
That’s been obvious in the show and it’s a real shame because I do have a lot of respect for Candy [Lane]. We had great life chats off camera and enjoyed our suntans together. However, I had to keep reminding people it was a game. If I could go back, I’d give my energy only to those taking part in the actual game. That said, Candy played a great game in her own way.
What’s it been like watching the show at home?
Some days are easier than others! I had a very open, upfront approach and no one else really did. It’s confronting being labelled as “the bitch” when you’re honest, while others are praised when they’re talking behind each other’s backs. It’s a very interesting social experiment that mirrors our day-to-day lives in many ways.
SIR WAYNE “BUCK” SHELFORD
What was your strategy?
I didn’t have one at all. I didn’t know much about the show until just before filming. I watched some old episodes and talked to a few people who’d been on it. I knew people would underestimate me because I’m older and I’m carrying a bit of weight.
What was your highlight?
Going up north to a beautiful place I’d never been to before and seeing the whenua. I’m glad they kept it in New Zealand so we didn’t have to travel so far!
What was your greatest challenge?
I could’ve competed better in some of the activities if I was fitter and about 10kg lighter. I was like the walking wounded because of some old rugby injuries. I do have poor knees, so I couldn’t run that fast,
and I was pretty weak in my right shoulder. After filming, I booked in for shoulder reconstruction.
What surprised you the most?
I’m shocked they didn’t put me up for more challenges. They might’ve been a bit scared of me. Lance was maybe looking after my knees, but I wanted to be a part of the action!
Who did you most enjoy getting to know?
I really enjoyed spending time with this great blend of young people, but it was especially inspiring to see Joe Daymond getting a leg up on the show because this time last year, he was living out of a car.
Who did you butt heads with?
Well, in our group, our leaders threw people under the bus, often Candy Lane. The honesty was lacking, which was disappointing and a bit two-faced. Sure, play the game, but a good leader keeps their word. We never had an official alliance, but Candy and I spoiled the party for a few young people by knocking them out. They wanted to be there till the end – we were mostly in it for a bit of fun!
What’s it been like watching at home?
I’m watching every night with my kids and grandkids, who are right into it. They want to know everything that’s going to happen, but I can’t remember yesterday, let alone six months ago! My grandsons are two and four. When they saw me beat Richie in that game, they were jumping up and yelling, “Koro won!” They’re my biggest fans.
CANDY LANE
What was your strategy?
My only strategy was to keep my head down and take the same approach I had for dancing competitions, which is to get through the heats before you even think about the final. It worked for a while, but then I kept getting stood down in challenges and being thrown under the bus, which made me find my voice. I didn’t think I’d have much chance with all the secret alliances and strategies going on behind my back, so I’m proud I’ve got this far basically on my own.
What was most challenging?
Not having any other older people on my team until Buck was put in our team. I had no one like-minded to talk to and it was tough being dismissed by the young ones. I’d never come across this before. My thoughts on age has always been that it’s not important unless you’re cheese or wine!
What was your highlight?
Winning my elimination challenges and my team finally realising that I shouldn’t be written off!
Who did you most enjoy getting to know?
Buck is married to my cousin, but I actually hadn’t spent any time with him before. He’d regale us with lots of stories and he doesn’t take any s**t from anyone. Art and Joe Naufahu were also lovely men, but they went home too soon.
Who did you butt heads with?
Edna! How long have you got?!
What’s it been like watching the show at home?
Strange because it seemed so long ago and I’ve forgotten a lot of what happened. It was tough watching the emotional bits, but I’ve enjoyed a good laugh at Chris’ antics – he really is hilarious – and I’ve had so many lovely messages from friends and fans. My nearest and dearest have been very proud that I’ve played with integrity – and that I’m in the final six out of 21 celebs. Who’d have thought?!
What would it mean to win $100k for your charity?
My absolute favourite moments are winning the charity challenges and getting to talk about Endometriosis New Zealand. My daughter is very proud I’m representing something that has impacted her life and the lives of thousands of women. To win $100,000 for them world be incredible. The drinks would be on me!
CHRIS PARKER
What was your strategy?
Apart from not being swept out to sea in a rip, my goal was to not get kicked off first, so initially my strategy was to lay low. But being a blond gay giant who’s an extreme show-off meant that didn’t really work! I later found strength in being loyal, honest and upfront with my alliances, and then trying to keep things light-hearted and fun so people wanted me around.
What was your greatest challenge?
I’m absolutely allergic to confrontation – it gives me gas – so whenever there was any, I was always extremely out of my comfort zone. And let’s be honest, there was a lot!
What was your highlight?
Stealing Art ‘s shorts. Kidding! I loved getting to meet the entire cast and getting to hear about everyone’s personal connections to their charities. In and amongst all the competing and strategising, to hear everyone talk so passionately would bring a tear to my eye.
Who did you most enjoy getting to know?
It’s honestly too hard to pick. I loved everyone – from singing show tunes with Candy to laughing and mucking around with Lance.
What’s it been like watching the show at home?
It’s brought back everything, both good and bad. It’s like reliving the show, but this time with music, so everything seems way more intense! My family are incredibly proud of me and I’m very grateful for their support.
What would it mean to win $100k for your charity?
While I also entered the show to prove to myself that I could do it, my main goal was to be there for Rainbow Youth and get them some money. They do incredible work creating safe spaces and advocating for our queer youth here in Aotearoa. I’ve always been a huge supporter, so to be able to humiliate myself on television in order to raise some money for them has been an incredible privilege. But to go all the way and get the $100,000 for Rainbow Youth would make all the sleepless nights and starvation worth it!
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