On Sunday night, the four teams from this year’s season of The Block NZ will be putting it all on the line as their houses go under the hammer on the grand finale episode.
Over the past 11 weeks, we’ve gotten to know Sam and Emmett, Niki and Tiff, Emma and Courtney and Dyls and Dylz pretty well – and we’ll be watching with bated breath to see how they all do in the live auction!
But before this season’s winners are crowned, we’re taking a look back at some of our favourite moments from the show this year.
Lets have a look at the highs, the lows and the scandals that went on between room reveals!
The Block NZ: Girls vs Boys live auction finale airs at 7pm on Sunday, August 14 on TV3.
When they began, Builders Dylan Cossey (Big Dyls) and Dylan Guitink (Dylz Jr.) from Mount Maunganui planned to use their gym-bro brawn and bromance combo to make their house the best.
The boys chatted with Woman’s Day about their time on the show – check out the video in the next slide.
Quick fire questions with Dyls & Dylz from The Block NZ
Dunedinites Emma Diamond & Courtney MacKay have one big (literally) supporter in their corner – Courtney’s Highlanders star fiance Joe Wheeler!
See the girls strut their DIY stuff in the video on the next slide!
Behind the scenes with The Block NZ girls
The girls later admitted that they had only ever picked up a hammer and drill before starring on the TV3 reality show, but the tough-as-nails chicks soon learned to love the heavy lifting that came with restoring their Auckland do-up.
“We had no prior building experience coming on to the show,” says Emma, laughing. “We didn’t even know how long painting takes! Who knew you have different paint for walls, skirting boards, bathrooms and the ceiling? It was a learning curve for us.”
Courtney even got to reunite with her Highlanders fiancé Joe Wheeler during the show.
See the super cute reunion on the next slide.
The Block NZ: Courtney MacKay gets a visit from fiance Joe Wheeler
Niki Osborne and Tiffany Mair from Christchurch and Wanaka/Melbourne’s original strategy was to make friends and have a laugh – but as the competition wore on, their design smarts saw them winning several room reveals.
Niki, though she was enthusiastic at the beginning of the show, also revealed she had zero renovation experience. “I love the manual-labour side of things and just getting stuck in,” enthuses the Cantabrian. “There is a real sense of achievement at the end of each day when you can step back and think, ‘Hey, I was a part of that.’”
Sam and Emmett’s pragmatism that they planned to use did work to their advantage – the Wellington businessmen proved to be very canny in their planning. The boys chat about their Block experience in the video on the next slide!
Quick fire question’s with Sam & Emmett from The Block NZ
No recap of season 5 would be complete without Sam and Emma’s romance!
Watch the scandal unfold in the video on the next slide.
The Block NZ
Well – in the end it turned out the pair were just having a bit of a laugh. We think they would have made a great couple!
It certainly seemed like sparks were flying between the duo, but the rumoured lovebirds have now revealed that their ‘hook-up’ was simply a prank that went too far.
“It was a group idea, we were all in on it,” Emma tells Woman’s Day.
“It was very much a team effort, and one which definitely backfired on us,” Sam adds, confirming that their fellow Block contestants were all in on the joke.
Tiff and Niki take a break on the unfinished stairs
Sam perfects his grouting.
Tiff surveys the carnage.
Emma deals with some greenery for her outdoor area.
Dylz Jr. takes a well earned break.
Sam and Emmett got themselves in hot water when it was revealed that they had relied on some outside help for the styling component of their DIY work. Host Mark Richardson had tough words for Sam Cable and Emmett Vallender after the pair ‘fessed up to contacting a friend during the renovation of their rooms.
The Block NZ: Sam and Emmett are accused of cheating
Dylz and Dyls goof about on set.
Dylz and Dyls chat to Mark and Shelley.
Tiff takes a moment on the stairs.
Team Dylz and Dyls ruffled feathers with their tough scoring of Niki and Tiff’s bathroom at one point during the series. The bolshie builders gave the yellow team a big, fat zero for their efforts! “It was quite surprising but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just think it says more about their style and game plan,” said Niki of the scoring.
Dyls and Dylz kid’s room reveal
Emma gets down to work.
Sam and Emmett cuddle up during a quick break at Block HQ.
Big Dyls pauses for a laugh during a painting session.
The girls strike a pose outside house number three.
Brawny builders Dyls and Dylz have seen their fair share of drama this season!
Good luck to all the teams on Sunday night!
Behind-the-scenes of our glam Block shoot
