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The CTI top six spill all the behind-the-scenes secrets!

The remaining castaways spill some behind-the-scenes secrets

Just like that, we’ve gone from 18 contestants down to six! This season of Celebrity Treasure Island has been such a blast to follow, and the top six are here to make things even more exciting…

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Read about former All Black Christian Cullen, comedian Bubbah, Actors James Rolleston, Millen Baird and JP Foliaki, and broadcaster Duncan Garner‘s inside gossip on the show below.

Christian Cullen

48, Former All Black

What’s been your proudest moment?

I lasted more than a week. I didn’t want to be first out – I thought 10 days would be a good effort. Oh, and I won some charity money!

What’s been your most challenging moment?

I definitely got hungry some days. Rice and beans didn’t quite hit the spot, and I was missing a good coffee. Also I’m a pretty good sleeper, but I didn’t feel like I had a full night’s sleep – and with no watch or phones, I had no idea what time it was.

What’s your biggest regret?

No regrets! Well, maybe taking my shirt off. We all can’t look like Wairangi Koopu!

Who’s your toughest competition?

Seriously, all of them. I got pretty close with a few of them, so that made it hard when we were up against each other.

What did fans not see on screen?

I had plenty of laughs with Millsy [above] and Bubbah. Throw old Duncan in there and it’s good fun!

What’s it like watching the show from home?

Well, I’m not big on watching myself on telly. I just hope I didn’t do anything to embarrass my kids!

Bubbah

28, Comedian

What’s your secret to making the top six?

My secret was to have fun. I’m not a planner, so having fun each day really helped me get through. Also remembering who I’m doing it for – my charity Pillars, my nieces and nephews, the ’hood of South Auckland, Samoa and Polynesia!

What’s been your proudest moment?

When I was neck and neck with Wai! Who would have thought, eh?

What’s been your most challenging moment?

The clear divide in the merge. I was really torn. My family raised me to love and welcome all – and I talk to everyone, even random people on the road! – so having that divide challenged me mentally.

What’s your biggest regret?

I should have got up early to train with Mea Motu. I kept telling her I would, but I failed every morning because the sleeping bags were too comfy!

Who’s your toughest competition?

Duncan Garner. Do not underestimate Duncle! He’s smart, calm and cool, like a sniper – he could take you out and you wouldn’t even see it coming.

Who did you butt heads with the most?

James Rolleston. I think he had a major crush on me!

What did fans not see on screen?

One night, I was so hungry, Duncan cut up an eel and I ate it raw. Also, me and James kissed a lot.

What’s it like watching the show from home?

It’s a beautiful experience to watch with my family and friends. I had no idea Christian Cullen was one of the greatest athletes of all time – my uncles and aunties love him!

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James Rolleston

27, Actor

What’s your secret to making it to the top six?

I don’t have a secret! I believe by putting my head down and worrying about what’s in front of me, caring less about what everyone else is doing, I will get past whatever comes my way.

What’s been your proudest moment?

Helping provide food for everyone to fill our stomachs as much as we could. I gave Duncan an eel and he caught a big snapper for dinner using some of it for bait.

What’s been your most challenging moment?

The lack of food. We couldn’t even get snacks! It was strictly rice, beans and whatever food reward there was if we won the challenge. It was nice to have kina, Pāua, eel and fish, but I got over the rice and beans! You could see how it began to affect everyone as time went on.

Who’s your toughest competition?

JP – he’s a young, strong Polynesian. Our people of the Pacific are familiar with these environments and situations, and although some of the things we were facing may have been a little foreign to him, I know it’s all still in him. Whether he was raised in a city or not, he’s Polynesian and that’s all one needs to know.

What’s it like watching the show from home?

It’s been good looking back at the fighter in everyone, and just reminiscing about all the laughs and memories we had.

Millen Baird

51, Actor

What’s your secret to making the top six?

My wife told me to simply be present – don’t panic and just take it all in. She also said not to get caught up in any drama, but how the hell do you do that on CTI? These intense, amazing friendships I made on the show buoyed me up during the tough times. It really was an experience I’ll never forget. I loved being released into the wild from my stay-at-home-dad job. The show changed my life.

What’s been your proudest moment?

Completing a puzzle, let alone winning a puzzle competition! I’ve never been interested in them, despite having a puzzled resting face. Also, going into the elimination arena four times and winning was surreal – a real confidence booster.

What has been your most challenging moment?

Probably being away from my family for so long with no contact. That was hard, but I’d wander off down the beach, stand on a rock and chat to my wife. It was like some cheesy Hallmark movie. I’ve actually found it toughest watching myself on screen when I’m not playing a character. It’s weird. I really am an introvert!

What is your biggest regret?

I wouldn’t have gone swimming in my undies and shown off my luminous white body to the nation. I looked like a landing light at an airport!

Can you share a secret about one of your competitors?

Cully is an amazing golfer. He’s on a two handicap. We’ve played since the show.

JP Foliaki

30, Actor

What’s your secret to making it to the top six?

Being good enough for people to want me in their team, but not too good so that people want me in the game. I wasn’t that good at anything anyway! But being a nice person helps a lot too.

What’s been your proudest moment?

Winning $5000 for ChildFund NZ – that’s the whole point of the game. They do incredible work providing families and kids from the Pacific with fresh water, so they can live life, attend school and reach their potential.

What’s been your most challenging moment?

I’m an island boy, so bomb food and warm weather is where I’m supposed to be! The mental gymnastics was pretty challenging too.

Who’s your toughest competition?

Millsy has proved to be an absolute beast. Never underestimate the underdogs, though!

What did fans not see on screen?

Me, Bubbah, James and Gaby Solomona found a cabin on one side of the island that had heaps of snacks, so we raided it. Turns out it was Bree and Lance’s. We were starving. Can you blame us?!

What did you learn about yourself?

That the values and life experiences that come with being Tongan, Pasifika and from South Auckland really is a superpower. I already knew that, but it was confirmed for me in the game.

What’s it like watching the show from home?

Such a cool experience. I love that it’s something the whole family can watch – from my grandma to my cousins and young nephews. It’s been fun.

Duncan Garner

50, Broadcaster

What’s your secret to making the top six?

I had no master plan except to lay low and come across as no threat to anybody – just to be helpful, catch fish and not engage in anything nasty. To be honest, I didn’t find it hard to look hopelessly incompetent some days!

What’s been your proudest moment?

In no particular order: Getting this far, catching that big snapper, and me and Cully holding off Wai and JP in the scrummaging game on the beach – I found it hard to walk the next day!

What’s been your most challenging moment?

Sleeping on a sack. But the truth is, I was so scared of snoring, I lay awake most nights… until I was snoring!

What’s your biggest regret?

Wearing Spankie’s togs!

Who’s your toughest competition?

They all have strengths, but Millsy, Bubbah and James have already proved they can survive elimination. They’re tough.

What did fans not see on screen?

When I caught the snapper, Cully asked me, “Dunc, what sort of fish is this?” I looked at him like he was mad, then said, “F**king snapper, mate!” We hooted with laughter. I thought everyone knew what snapper looked like! Cully is such a humble, loyal and funny guy, and he was genuinely there to raise awareness for his brother-in-law, who had died of a brain tumour. Legend!

What’s it like watching the show from home?

I’ve been hiding behind pillows nervously, peeking out at it. My son wants a Celebrities & Their Kids Treasure Island so we can team up!

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The final three episodes of Celebrity Treasure Island screen 7.30pm Monday to Wednesday on TVNZ 2 and stream on TVNZ+.

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