A former judge on The Block NZ says he doubts the show will ever return to television amid the country’s struggling economic climate as former winners express sadness at its demise.
In February, Warner Bros. Discovery announced it would no longer fully fund local shows, which included The Block NZ, scuppering its eleventh season. It was expected to set in Auckland’s Browns Bay where a section of houses was bought and building began.
Former judge and Bonham Architecture & Interiors director Jason Bonham said the show’s end was a “shame” but was expected in New Zealand’s current economic climate, which was barely climbing out of its second recession less than 18 months.
Bonham, now based in Australia, said such shows cost “so much to produce”. He doubted New Zealand’s economy would recover enough to reinstate The Block anytime soon.
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This was not just “devastating” for viewers but also the show’s business partners, he said.
“It’s a huge investment in terms of capital underlay to get these products on the show … they just can’t [do anything] at the moment. Then there’s nothing left for the people competing.
“I’d be very surprised if The Block returns. Actually, I don’t think it probably will.”
In June, ASB chief economist Kim Mundy told NZME a 0.2% rise in GDP took New Zealand out of its recession but the economy was still “soggy”.
Growth was expected to be minimal this year.
Block NZ judges Bernadette Morrison and Jason Bonham in 2015. Bonham says the show's cancellation is a shame but not unexpected. Photo / Supplied
A Warner Bros. Discovery spokeswoman said that the November 2022 decision to hold off on commissioning a new season of The Block NZ was made due to a “challenging housing market”, which remained in place today.
In April 2022, the Browns Bay property was sold to Warner Bros International Television Production NZ, producers of The Block NZ, for $6.25 million.
A spokesperson said the property was in the process of being “completed to a high standard and will be put on the market later in 2024”.
For first season competitor Sarah Adams, the experience of The Block NZ was “life-changing” and “fantastic in so many ways”.
Adams and partner Richard Boobyer were placed second, winning $60,000.
“I was at uni at the time so I felt like I’d won the lottery,” Adams said.
Block NZ season one contestants Sarah Adams and partner Richard Boobyer. Adams says appearing on the show was "life-changing". Photo / Michael Craig
“It was an experience that will never be repeated so I’m sad that the groups of people that would have had this experience won’t be able to.”
Adams now works for Bayleys in Hamilton. She couldn’t say whether her role in The Block NZ, or her natural passion for property, led to her real estate career but said the show had been an incredible opportunity regardless.
“It’s shame that’s it’s not continuing but it’s probably understandable given the media space at the moment,” she said.
Season one winner Ben Crawford said the show gave him and his teammate and sister Libby Crawford the confidence to set up their branding agency and helped open doors faster in their business’ early years.
“Twelve years on, our business Tomorrow is going from strength to strength with an awesome team behind us,” he said.
Block NZ winners Ben and Libby Crawford. The brother and sister duo said the show helped kickstart their careers. Photo / David Alexander
Ben met his wife at one of The Block’s open homes. They now have four children and live in their “dream home” built in 2015, “so The Block has treated me really well”.
The show’s demise was a shame “but given the market conditions, a no-brainer”, Ben said.
“It is extremely hard work and you give up your life for three to four months, and it actually costs you to be on the show through lost earnings. Today, you’d probably need to clear $30k to $40k to really just break even.
“So, it has been hard watching the past few years with so many teams barely taking any money home.”
Ray White corporate NZ chief executive Daniel Coulson, who had been a show auctioneer, said The Block NZ potentially inspired a generation of people into home renovations.
He said the show was “a lot of fun” and the exposure it gave him, other real estate professionals, suppliers, tradespeople and the contestants was also unparalleled.
“It was a great show while it was on air, and well received.”
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