Treasure Island (TV franchise)

Treasure Island is a reality competition television franchise. The programme originated in New Zealand in 1997, where it was originally produced by Touchdown Television and broadcast by TVNZ, with later editions produced for broadcasters in Australia and Ireland. In the programme, contestants are isolated on a remote Fijian island (early shows were filmed in Tonga) and compete for a cash prize of NZ$25,000. From the 2019 edition, the winner of the Celebrity Treasure Island will receive NZ$100,000 and NZ$50,000 for the regular season their chosen charity.
Concept history.
The "Treasure Island" concept was created by former Touchdown producer Darryl McEwen after searching in the local library for a story on which he could base a reality gameshow before the successful Swedish programme "Expedition Robinson" – the original version of the "Survivor" format.
Series franchise overview.
Legend:
New Zealand series overview.
"Treasure Island" (1997–2007, 2023–present).
Season 1 (1997).
Also called "Treasure Island 1" was shot in Fiji in 1997. Levi Bowen was the season's winner with Pieta Keating coming in second.
This season consists of 5 episodes. In Episode 1, 19 people were shortlisted from 3,000 applicants. They spend a weekend doing some team activities before 12 castaways were officially cast. The remaining 7 who didn't make the cast include Nikki (37, Farmer &amp; Mother of 4 from Temuka), Daniel (25, Lawyer from Wellington), Hugo (22, Student from Dunedin), Ana (23, Special need teacher from Rakaia), Paul (25, Internet Technologist from Auckland), Clint (19, Student from Te Kauwhata) &amp; Anneke (21, Trainee teacher from Devonport, Auckland) who withdrew from casting and was replaced by Loretta (20, Media Studies student).
They cast flew to Nadi, Fiji and travelled westward to an inhabited island. Castaways were divided into 2 teams of six (3 men and 3 women). North (red) Team consist of Angus (32, Insurance Loss Adjuster from North Shore Auckland), Debbie (36, Stay-at-home Mother from Whangarei), Matt (28, PhD Genetics Student from Dunedin), Pieta (22, Writer/TV presenter from Auckland), Sunny (20, Advertising Clerk from New Plymouth) and Tama (24, Webpage designer). South (Blue) Team consist of Ally (24, Account Manager from Auckland), Chris (43, IT project manager from West Auckland), Herbie (22, Youth worker from Auckland), Levi Bowen (24yo, Trainee pilot and kitchen fitter from Hamilton East), Loretta (20, Media Studies student) and Susan Hornsby (29, Lawyer from Wellington). Every five days, two people were eliminated by a test. Day 5 - Tama (North) &amp; Susan (South). Day 10 - Matt (North) &amp; Chris (South). Day 13 (Unschedule elimination test) - Sunny (North) &amp; Loretta (South). Day 15 - Debbie (North) &amp; Herbie (South). Day 20 - Angus (North) &amp; Ally (South). Day 21 - Pieta lost the treasure hunt. Levi won $25,000.
An additional special episode Treasure Island Revisited were showcased 2 weeks after the grand finale.
Season 2 (1999).
A reality series in which 16 people are deposited on a Pacific Island in Tonga with four weeks to survive and find hidden treasure and hosted by previous contestant Pieta Keating. The 16 people were separated into two tribes with Tongan names based on the geographical camp base; Hahake (East) and Hihifo (West)
Radio DJ Tanya Pouwhare from Palmerston North was the season's winner against Graham. Gisborne C4 music TV host Clarke Gayford and Chad made it to the final 4.
Season 3 (2002).
Treasure Island: Extreme was hosted by model Jacqui Rickards. The 16 personnel from the police, SAS, armed forces and soldiers competed against each other in the most "extreme" condition in the show history. They were marooned offshore of the island without any food, water or shelter and were separated into Blue Team and Red Team. On each elimination day, both teams lost a team player. John "Horse" McLeod was the season's winner.
A notable incident happened when the SAS contestant Baz Rice was eliminated from the game and refused to leave, instead of hiding in the jungle. Because of previous threats made to rival contestants, a security warning was issued to other competitors. He eventually returned from the jungle and left the island.
Season 4 (2005).
Superstars of Treasure Island was hosted by singer Jon Stevens. This season saw past winners and past season favourites put back onto the island, which included past Irish and Australian winners.
Euakafa Village (Blue team) consisted of Louise Wallace (NZ), John 'Horse' McLeod (NZ), Bernadette Duffy (Ireland), Emma Forster (Australia), Josh Kronfeld (NZ), John 'Cocksy' Cocks (NZ), James Wirtanen (Australia) and Aroha Treacher (NZ). Taunga Village (Red team) consisted of Michael Laws (NZ), Levi Bowen (NZ), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Pieta Keating (NZ), Brent Todd (NZ), Sally Maxwell (Australia), Cassie Edwards (Australia) and Erika Takacs (NZ)
Josh Kronfeld was the season's winner, becoming the first person to win two seasons of Treasure Island consecutively.
Season 5 (2006).
Treasure Island: Couples at War was hosted by Jon Stevens in his second stint on the show. This season put 8 celebrity couples against each other; these included former Miss Popularity Vicky-Lee McIntyre &amp; Scotty Rocker, Vadim Dale &amp; Natalie Franzman, Jaimee Provan &amp; Johnny Claxton, Bridgette O'Sullivan and Lance O'Sullivan, Simon Doull &amp; Peggy Bourne, JJ Feeney &amp; Dominic Harvey, Paula Stockwell &amp; Zane Nicholl and Courtney Robinson &amp; Mark Hewlett.
The O'Sullivan were the season's winners with Simon Doull and his partner Peggy Bourne coming in second.
Season 6 (2007).
Treasure Island: Pirates of the Pacific was hosted by former celebrity contestants Matthew Ridge. This season initial featured two tribes – The Buccaneers, which included, New Zealand Idol runner-up Michael Murphy, former New Zealand Warriors league player Monty Betham, Aja Rock, Carolyn Taylor, Jay Quinn, Elizabeth Grey; and The Corsairs, which included Australian disgraced rugby union player Wendell Sailor and David Beckham's former assistant Rebecca Loos, April Ieremia, Glen Osbourne, Steve Devin and Li Ming Hu.
The first twist of the season is an additional tribe, also known as The Others – consist of Dancing With The Stars Hayley Holt, DIY Rescue builder Doug Thompson, personal trainer Keri Ropati, Mr India NZ Jay Singh, Miss Hawaiian Tropic Carena West and Cleo Bachelor Of The Year Nick Curnow. "Dancing with the Stars" dancer Hayley Holt was the season's winner with Wendell Sailor coming in second.
Season 7 (2023).
After 16 years of hiatus, the seventh edition of Treasure Island also known as Treasure Island: Fans vs Faves returned to Fiji and is expected to premiere in January 2023 with Tomasel returning as host without Chisholm. TVNZ announced Jayden Daniels will be co-host with Tomsel in the upcoming season which will be broadcast on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. Eight fans go head to head with eight celebrities from previous seasons, all looking for redemption and hungry for the win. This season is the first season to include former seasons contestants and winner since Superstars of Treasure Island in 2005. Matty Mclean won the treasure hunt on Day 15 and took $50,000 for Zeal NZ. Lana Searle and Dame Susan Devoy were the other two finalists. This season raised $120,000 across 9 various charities across New Zealand.
"Celebrity Treasure Island" (2001–04, 2019–present).
Season 1 (2001).
Series 1 was hosted by Pieta Keating for the second consecutive season. This was the first Celebrity season and the third season altogether.
Following the format of TV2's hit show "Treasure Island", 14 celebrities divide into two teams to compete for $20,000 for the Youthline charity. South Team - Blue: Frank Bunce, rugby player; Nicky Watson, model; John "Cocksy" Cocks, "My House, My Castle" handyman; Katrina Hobbs, actor; Dominic Bowden, music show presenter; Jane Kiely, TV presenter; Trent Bray, swimmer.
North Team - Red: Sally Ridge, "Changing Rooms" designer; Danny Morrison, NZ Cricketer; Nicki Sunderland, ZM DJ; Anthony Ray Parker, actor; Stacey Daniels, TV presenter; Andy Dye, "Changing Rooms" builder; Erika Takacs, singer. TV handyman John "Cocksy" Cochs won, with television presenter Stacey Daniels coming in second.
Season 2 (2003).
Season 2 was hosted by Pieta Keating for the third consecutive season. The contestants were split into two teams – Girls Team, which included Greer Robson, Eva Evguenieva, Louise Wallace, Nicky Watson, Suzanne Paul, Jenny May Coffin and K'lee; and the Boys Team, which included Paul Ellis, Cory Hutchings, Michael Laws, Matthew Ridge, Jason Gunn, Ewen Gilmore and Marc Ellis. "Shortland Street" actress and current lawyer Greer Robson was the season's winner, with ex-"Shortland Street" star, Paul Ellis coming in second.
Season 3 (2004).
Season 3 was hosted by previous contestant Louise Wallace. The season's contestants included Josh Kronfeld, Simon Barnett, Brent Todd, Ian Roberts, Maz Quinn, Troy Flavell, Torenzo Bozzone, Matthew Ridge, Aja Rock, Charlotte Dawson, Jayne Kiley, Joe Cotton, Lana Coc-Kroft, Wendy Botha, Hayley Marie Byrnes, Nicky Watson. TV presenter Lana Coc-Kroft was struck down with a virus and had to be evacuated off the island. Ex-All Black Josh Kronfeld was the season's winner, with Simon Barnett coming in second place.
Season 4 (2019).
"Celebrity Treasure Island 2019" marked the show's return after a hiatus of more than a decade. Hosted by "Survivor NZ" producer and host, Matt Chisholm, as well as ZM radio's Drive host Bree Tomasel. The classic Kiwi game show featured 16 celebrity castaways paired up as they completed challenges for the chance to win $100,000 for their charity of choice in Fiji. The season premiered on Sunday 18 August, 7 pm and continues Monday &amp; Tuesday 7.30 pm, TVNZ 2. This was to be the final show that Matt Chisholm presented with TVNZ. Sam Wallace was the sole Kāhu member left, and the eventual winner, who took $100,000 for Starship Hospital. Shane Cameron and Gary 'The Wiz' Freeman were the other two finalists, and Athena Angelou finished fourth. This season raised $170,000 across 9 various charities across Aotearoa.
Season 5 (2021).
After a Covid-19 pandemic enforced break in 2020, the fifth edition of "Celebrity Treasure Island" was filmed over summer 2021 on the coast of Ngātaki, in Northland, New Zealand, instead of the usual location, Fiji. The season premiered on 6 September, and airs weekly, Monday to Wednesday, at 7:30 PM on TVNZ 2. Chisholm and Tomasel returned as hosts. 21 new celebrity castaways take part on home soil, going head-to-head for the chance to win $100,000 for their chosen charity. 
Chris Parker was the sole Katipō member left, and the eventual winner, who took $100,000 for Rainbow Youth Inc. Edna Swart and Lance Savali were the other two finalists. This season raised $215,000 across 13 various charities across Aotearoa.
Season 6 (2022).
The sixth edition of "Celebrity Treasure Island" was filmed in the summer of 2022 on the coast of Northland, New Zealand with Chisholm and Tomasel returned as hosts. Va'aiga 'Inga' Tuigamala was confirmed to be part of the cast who died ahead of filming Celebrity Treasure Island. The rest of the cast were officially announced in August 2022 with Mike King, Dame Susan Devoy &amp; Ron Cribb who entered the game as mystery intruders, joining Alex King, Siobhan Marshall &amp; Guy Montgomery. Courtenay Louise, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Karen O'Leary, Shimpal Lelisi and Perlina Lau. Melodie Robinson, Cam Mansel, Elvis Lopeti, Dylan Schmidt &amp; Cassie Roma. Jesse Tuke, Eds Eramiha, Lynette Forday, Dr Joel Rindelaub and Iyia Liu. 
This season premiered on 5 September, and airs weekly, Monday to Wednesday, at 7:30 PM on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+; hosted by Matt Chisholm and Bree Tomasel. One of the twenty-one celebrities will win a grand prize of $100,000 for their chosen charity. Jesse Tuke won the treasure hunt on Day 27 and took $100,000 for Live Ocean. Courtenay Louise and Elvis Lopeti were the other two finalists. This season raised $205,000 across 14 various charities across Aotearoa.
Australian "Treasure Island" (2000).
The Australian version, "Treasure Island A Quest for Survival", produced by David Mason premiered on the Seven Network following the 2000 Summer Olympics. It aired on Sunday nights at 7pm, premiered on 10 January 2000 with 9 episodes.
16 plucky Australians are cast adrift on a remote Tongan island in the South Pacific hoping to overcome challenges in the hunt for A$50,000 in treasure. The contestants have been selected for their practical abilities, sense of adventure and their sense of humour - which they'll need as the tropical paradise becomes more nightmarish by the day. They'll lie, cheat and sabotage to get their booty, but only one member of each team will make it to the end. Every three days, the castaways must mark on a map where they think the treasure is - and the ones furthest away will be sent home. After a gruelling training camp, the groups were whittled down from ten to eight - voted for by the team members.
The 16 castasways were split into two teams – 
West Team which included Michael "Mike" Kent, Emma Forster, Daniel Popping, Sally Maxwell, Cassandra 'Cassie' Edwards, Justine Salkilld-Campbell, Steve Ibbotson Craig Sharpe; and the East Team which included Tomi Pitra, Gavin Heath, Maggie Dawson, Monika Karwan, Alexandra "Alex" Simpson, Frank Matzka, Kym Clare and James Wirtanen, with James Wirtanen being crowned the winner.
Four contestants took part in the franchise's international edition, "Superstars of Treasure Island". Emma Forster &amp; James Wirtanen in Euakafa Village (Blue team) and Sally Maxwell &amp; Cassandra 'Cassie' Edwards in Taunga Village (Red team).
Irish "Treasure Island" (2001–2002).
"Treasure Island" was one of Ireland's first major reality programme. It ran for two series, airing through the summers of 2001 and 2002 on RTÉ One. Based on a New Zealand format, two groups of strangers lived and survived on a remote island in Tonga with one winner taking home the £50,000 prize. COCO Television also produced the spin-off series "Treasure Island Uncut" and "Treasure Island Live" for RTÉ Network 2. The show was axed after its second series and replaced by "Cabin Fever" in 2003.
Series 1 (2001).
The first series aired on RTÉ One at 8pm each Sunday night from 15 July to 12 September 2001. Commissioned by Billy McGrath - then Commissioning Editor of Entertainment - it was RTÉ's and Ireland's first major reality TV series.
Almost 31,000 people applied to take part in the first series. The first programme involved 22 people vying to be part of the final 16. They ranged in age from 19 to 63. The group of 22 would then be taken to Killary Harbour, Connacht, where they faced a series of physical and psychological challenges. After two days the final 16 were chosen and taken immediately to Dublin Airport, where they departed for Tonga. When they arrived on the island the teams were split into two teams, the East/Blue team and the West/Red team locating on each side of the island.
A spin-off series was shown on Network 2 called "Treasure Island Uncut" on Monday nights at 10:35 pm.
Blue Team: Yvonne Cronin (Winner), Tom Tom O'Brien, Becky Fennel, Robin Creagh, Geoff Fisher, Sheila Comerford, Lewize Crothers, Peter Finn
Red Team: Tom Barton (2nd Place), Patrick Doorey, Carole Ross, Paul Gannon, Faith Atkinson, Mary Ann McCormack, Martin Laheen, Ann Murphy
Series 2 (2002).
The second series aired between June 16 and August 30, 2002. Before becoming a Senator, Mark Daly appeared on this series of "Treasure Island"; he came third in the series. The spin-off series "Treasure Island Uncut" was again shown on Network 2, but RTÉ introduced a new spin-off series for RTÉ One called "Treasure Island Live", that was hosted by Brendan Courtney and shown on Tuesday nights at 8 pm.
Sean O'Brien won the treasure hunt beating Ann Collins, Annette Woolley, Aoife MacCana, Bernadette Duffy, Chantelle McCann, Damian Manning, Dave O'Brien, Ian Tighe, Mark Daly, Mary T. O'Connor, Patricia O'Mahony, Sabine Sheehan, Sean Paul Teeling, Trevor McDaniel and Winston Roberts.
Sean O'Brien (the winner of Series 2) and his wife Bernadette Duffy (a contestant of Series 2), took part in the franchise's international edition, Superstars of Treasure Island.