Meet the Bachelor
This is the hunky lifeguard set to make a splash on the new season of The Bachelor New Zealand.
Zac Franich will be the new bachelor on the third series of TV3’ s hit reality show featuring 19 bachelorettes vying for love.
The 28- year- old from the Hibiscus Coast, north of Auckland, i s no stranger to a high pressure environment.
He has represented New Zealand at international level in sprint kayaking.
As well as being a qualified life guard, superfit Franich works in sports management — delivering a sports programme at Orewa Surf Life Saving Club.
The modest bachelor describes himself as a “laid- back Kiwi bloke”. He said he couldn’t wait to find love with a bachelorette.
“I’ve always stood by the fact that life should be an adventure and you should take every opportunity you’re given,” he said. “When someone offers you the chance to meet beautiful and interesting women, travel the world, and hopefully find love at the end — it was a no- brainer.”
Franich said he was open- minded about finding his ideal woman on the show.
“I really don’t have a type because every woman has something special about them,” he said. “I don’t want to go into this experience with a list of must- haves.
“I’m keeping an open mind and hope to find that spark with someone who shares some of my passions for travel, adventure, the ability to laugh and have fun.”
In 2015 Franich found himself in the middle of a selection wrangle for the pairing of the New Zealand K2 1000 crew at that year’s World Championships.
Franich was initially picked for the team, but Canoe Racing NZ was later the subject of a legal challenge by Darryl Fitzgerald and Zac Quickenden who wanted to race as a combination in the event.
The challenge was later dropped, and Franich and Fitzgerald were named as New Zealand’s competitors.
MediaWorks’ head of commissioning and external production Sue Woodfield said Franich was chosen because he “ticks all the boxes”.
“He’s handsome, sporty and accomplished, a real Kiwi guy with a great sense of humour,” Woodfield said.
“He’s the boy next door that you’d take home to meet the parents and most importantly, he’s genuinely looking to meet someone special. We wish him all the best in his quest for love.”
The first season of The Bachelor New Zealand resulted in a fairy- tale ending for Art Green and Matilda Rice. They remain a couple and are regularly seen together on the celebrity party circuit.
But the second season showed the journey to find love is not always plain sailing.
It ended in controversy when Jordan Mauger dumped heartbroken Fleur Verhoeven just a day after she was crowned the winner.
Season three of The Bachelor NZ is expected to begin screening in the next few months.