Jungle adventure for capital men
Two men from Wellington are among 16 Kiwis revealed as contestants for TVNZ’s upcoming reality show Survivor NZ.
Lower Hutt banking consultant Jak Thomas and Avi DuckorJones, a youth expedition leader from Wellington, beat out more than 8000 other applicants to become contestants.
While most of the filming wrapped up late last year, the contestants were only revealed this week. They have been sworn to secrecy about their experiences.
Contestants spent up to 40 days in a Nicaraguan jungle in a test of endurance, strength and strategy as they battled for the crown of New Zealand’s sole survivor and a prize of $100,000.
Thomas, 22, had been a fan of the United States and Australian versions of the TV show and said he jumped at the opportunity to be part of the New Zealand production.
‘‘[The show has] always been in my household and I’ve always enjoyed the concept.’’
He had always told himself he would apply to go on the show if the opportunity came up. He put a lot of effort into his audition video in order to sell himself.
‘‘I was 100 per cent [confident] I’d get on the show because I wanted it so bad.’’
Duckor-Jones, 32, said he had been a fan of the US version when he was in college and the call for contestants came shortly after some of his students suggested he should be on the show.
‘‘I was leading a trip in Fiji and I had a big beard and was foraging for shellfish in the water when my students said I should sign up. It was good timing.’’
Both local men said they had signed up to test themselves and find their limits.
‘‘I guess it was just about wanting to find out more about myself and how to better myself,’’ Thomas said.
Duckor-Jones, an avid tramper, traveller and surfer, relished the prospect of adventure and the opportunity to test his limits.
Neither man knows the show’s outcome and will have to wait for the final episode.
Survivor NZ premieres TVNZ ON Sunday, May 7. on