Aaron Dolbel

Aaron Dolbel has 19 years’ experience working in the television industry in New Zealand and the United Kingdom across a variety of genres. He’s the series producer for The Block NZ, which returns to screens tonight. He was previously the post-producer of seasons one and two of The X Factor New Zealand and also has senior editing credits for seasons 1 and 2 of The Block NZ and all three seasons of New Zealand’s Next Top Model. Interviewed by

Grant Smithies. What are you plugging?

I love The Block. It’s one of my favourite TV shows to work on. You never know what is going to happen on any given day. It’s bloody hard work but I find it so, so rewarding. It’s a wild ride and requires endless problem solving. Sometimes there is so much going on and so many things to think about I feel like my head is going to explode... like literally, kaboom! This season saw 4700 teams apply to be on the show, which shows how popular it is. Kiwi teams have even applied from places like Brazil, Singapore, the UK and China! The thing I find the most rewarding about the show is being part of something that gets people talking. I’ve always loved to tell long-winded stories to a small audience. Making a show like The Block, I get to be part of an amazing team that tell stories to a huge audience... and they don’t hold back with their opinions, which I love.

People often bag reality TV, but it’s incredibly popular with audiences. Why, do you think?

Reality TV is just pure, utter escapism. I think the audience loves to watch a show like The Block because the contestants are real people put in an extraordinary situation and they love to watch the trials and tribulations unfold. The emotions are real, whether it be joy, anger or sadness. There’s something about watching people experience these emotions that draws us in. You pick your favourite team, and throughout their journey you find yourself hoping they’ll overcome the various challenges they face and come out on top. Last year we had over 5000 members of the public turn up on a freezing cold, wet day for The Block open homes. They lined up for hours just to get a glimpse. Some of them drove from places like Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki, which shows that The Block really strikes a chord with people. I have to admit I have a chuckle when I read the comments people post about reality shows.

How do you balance tough TV work schedules with other obligations – partner, children, job, dogs?

My wife quietly dreads when The Block rolls around because it takes up nearly all of my time for three months. She’s incredibly understanding, considering she works full time and is left flying solo with the boys (George, 7, and Otis, 4). I try to get home in the evenings to catch the boys before they go to bed and take time out on Saturday mornings to watch them play Rippa rugby for Eden rugby club. I promised them all a family holiday somewhere once the show finishes filming and every night when I come home, without fail, Otis asks: ’’Dad, have you finished The Block?’’ I thought it was because he missed me, but he told me he just wants to go on holiday.

Ever stolen anything?

When I was younger I went through a short phase of stealing branded beer bar towels from pubs in Napier. I would order a drink and when the barman’s back was turned I would stuff them down my jeans. My record was four in one night. I stopped one night when my friends were chatting to a few girls and I realised that having a smelly, alcohol soaked bar towel stuffed down the front of my trousers was probably a bit weird.

What do you do to relax?

For my 40th birthday I got a set of electronic drums. Some people are air guitarists but I have always been an air drummer. I love the drums and it’s really relaxing to put some headphones on and crash away in the spare room. And the neighbours can’t hear how terrible I am.

What are you looking forward to right now?

I am looking forward to seeing these houses on The Block get completed. It’s my favourite part of this whole crazy process when you get to stand on the driveway and look at the beautiful houses right in front of you. There are no saws and drills blasting away, no nail-gun pops. It’s just serenely quiet, and I can stand back in wonderment thinking: ’’How the hell did this transformation occur in just 12 weeks?’’ It will also be the time when I can drive home and Otis will ask: ’’Dad, have you finished The Block yet?’’ And I’ll be able to say: ‘‘Yes.’’ And then we can all go on that family holiday. They deserve it.

Season Six of The Block NZ premieres at 7pm tonight on Three.