Get to know the judges of House Rules NZ!
The Host: DUNCAN HEYDE
You may know him as the cheerful co-host of The Rock Drive and podcast Renovation Nation, but before Duncan Heyde made his name in the media industry, he worked as a bricklayer, which is perhaps where he gets his handy DIY skills from.
“I have just built a 40-metre square deck at home, turning an unusable space into our main outdoor living area,” Duncan says of his most recent project, which has now become his favourite
space at home.
“My parents did a lot of renovating when I was growing up and without realising it, I was probably learning by osmosis!” he says, admitting his interior design skills may still need some brushing up.
From hosting the series, Duncan has learned how quickly something can be improved.
“The renovations our epic contestants did in such a short space of time are nothing short of unreal,” he marvels. “I’ve learned a lot can be done in five-and-a-half days. Now I need to get them all to come to my house to finish it off!”
The Design Expert: JADE HURST
After quitting a decade-long career in marketing, which included running her own highly successful communications agency, Jade Hurst decided to follow her passion for interior design and wellness, and created design studio Good_Space in 2020.
“My aim is to construct healthy workspaces that enhance wellbeing and promote sustainability,” explains Jade.
While filming the series, the 41-year-old’s biggest highlight was the emotional grand finale.
“We were all really moved by the end result and the surprising things that happened next, and I’m so excited for the rest of New Zealand to experience the same feelings we did,” she smiles.
Her biggest takeaway from the show is that “People can achieve great things under intense pressure.
“I also learned to simply give advice and let things happen, to relinquish control… much like the homeowners did when handing their keys over to the other teams!”
The Judge: MICHAEL MURRAY
Award-winning designer Michael Murray describes his style as “timeless, with a balance of modern and classic elements”.
He grew up watching his mum renovate many of his childhood homes and was thrilled when he finally had the chance to do the same.
“Purchasing my first house gave me the opportunity to complete my first renovation, and make my home more to my style and taste, which fuelled my passion for design and ignited my business, Michael Murray Studio,” says Michael, who has won several accolades for his work, including recognition from the National Kitchen & Bathroom Awards, and the Tida Trends Awards.
“I love impacting how people live with interior design,” explains Michael. “The interiors of our homes can have a large impact on our wellbeing and mental state.
“Being a judge on House Rules definitely confirmed that completing a renovation in five-and-a-half days was going to be a hard task, but the teams did an amazing job getting it done each week and filming every day was a joy.”
The Judge: KATRINA HOBBS
Katrina Hobbs
She’s a beloved Kiwi actor and presenter, starring in the popular soap Shortland Street and Australia’s Home and Away, but Katrina Hobbs’ journey from actor to homewares designer was a natural one.
“For as long as I can remember, light and colour have attracted me, and studying interior design in Sydney cemented this into a full-blown passion,” the 51-year-old explains.
Despite years of experience in the design industry, including working with renowned designer and textile importer Tigger Hall and opening her own retail space, Katrina Hobbs Design, on Auckland’s Ponsonby Road, nothing prepared her for being a judge on House Rules.
“I really enjoyed learning from Duncan, Jade and Michael about their aesthetics, renovation ideas, and ways to create beautiful and cohesive interiors.
“My favourite part of the show was seeing how grateful and often overwhelmed the teams were when they re-entered their own homes after the renovation. They were all living in homes that needed major upgrades, so seeing this come to fruition was wonderful to witness.”
Watch House Rules NZ each day at 12pm on ThreeNow, or at 7pm Sundays, and 7.30pm Mondays and Tuesdays on Three.
