It’s not called Redemption for nothing. If the new teams on the 10th season of The Block NZ look a little familiar, then you’re right because some of your favourites are back to right the wrongs of the past.
All the contestants on this year’s show may have won the hearts of fans at the time, but some banked little cash in house-sale profit or made any impact on the judges when they first appeared on the popular Three series.
Now they’ve been given a second chance to take out the trophy and change their lives. Who will nail it this time around?
Yellow team
Maree, 35, and James Steele, 35
Season 3 2014, Point Chevalier project, $147,000 profit
They may have made a hefty profit, but the laid-back pair left the show disillusioned, feeling they were never competitive enough.
This time around, they’re determined to show their design skills have what it takes to win and leave with no regrets this time. Since appearing on telly, the duo got married and had two children, Mia, five, and Jamsey, three. They have also built their own home with the same tradies from the show and say they’re a different team this time around.
“Our biggest mistake was not having a concrete plan,” explains Maree. “We just weren’t as prepared for what we took on. We were always overwhelmed.
“Redemption for us is to deliver a well thought out home that we are super-proud of. We’ve had kids and understand what families now look for in homes.”
Orange team
Quinn, 34, and Ben Alexandre, 38
Season 3 2014, Point Chevalier project, $10,000 profit
They may not have won a single room reveal, but they did take out the title for most unexpected plot twist when the lovable couple discovered Quinn was pregnant during filming.
Needless to say, morning sickness and a lack of funds meant their time on The Block didn’t end well. But watch out, these guys are back with a vengeance. Now parents to Cooper, seven, and Daisy, five, they’re also reno rookies no more.
“We have designed, completed and flipped three renos and a high-spec build since season 3, so the process is second nature now,” says Quinn. “We are also much handier on the tools this time around.”
Despite their experience, they still had to think hard about returning to the DIY show.
“We had to sleep on it for a few nights, that’s for sure,” laughs Quinn. “The Block is such a challenging but also life-changing and potentially rewarding experience. How could we say no?”
Purple team
Purple Team – Stacy Middleton, 28, and Adam Middleton, 28
Season 8 2019, Kingsland project, $0
The recently married couple won over the judges, taking out the most room wins ever on a series of The Block NZ, but the bidders were not down with their taste, leaving them with zero in the bank. They won’t want to lose twice.
Blue team
Blue Team – Chloe Hes, 30, and Ben Speedy, 28
Season 7, Hobsonville Point project, $11,500 and $57,000 profit respectively
Two old teams become one with these guys pairing up after their original partners were unavailable. Only time will tell whether they can successfully merge their design and architectural styles. “I love a challenge” says Ben. He just might have his hands full.
The Block NZ Redemption is coming soon to Three and ThreeNow.
