Celebrity Treasure Island plays with her best travel memories in New Zealand

The dancer, choreographer and TV presenter Candy Lane stars in the new season of TVNZ’s Celebrity Treasure Island. Photo / included

As Celebrity Treasure Island returns to our screens, some of this year’s celebs reveal the New Zealand vacation spots they dream of.

CANDY LANE

Dancer, choreographer and television presenter

Where is your favorite vacation spot in New Zealand?

Waiheke Island, I love that it’s so close and you can enjoy your break in just half an hour from Auckland CBD. The proximity to the water is something very special, be it to be enjoyed on the beach in summer or to watch the waves curled up in front of the fire. The fabulous vineyards could have something to do with it too.

What are some of your fondest memories of family vacations in New Zealand?

My best memories are when my kids were little and couldn’t wait to get to Onetangi Beach. I loved packing up a tasty picnic, filling the car with boogie boards, cricket gear, an umbrella, and an esky with cold beer.

If you could vacation anywhere in New Zealand that you have never been, where would you choose?

The bay of the islands. I just went through it and loved the look and feel of the place. To go around the islands, go fishing, enjoy the water sports and of course the restaurants.

Which indispensable item do you always take with you on a Kiwi vacation?

My bluetooth speaker for playing music. I have to have music everywhere, that makes me happy.

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Actor JJ Fong stars in the new season of TVNZ’s Celebrity Treasure Island. Photo / included

JJ FONG

actor

Where is your favorite vacation spot in New Zealand?

Gosh, it would be so great to have a “vacation spot” to return to. New Zealand is such a beautiful country so I would say that a very special place I recently visited was Milford Sound. The majestic mountains, the whole soul of this fjord is simply breathtaking. If every kiwi could afford this trip I would encourage them.

What are some of your fondest memories of family vacations in New Zealand?

I remember going to the Waiwera Hot Pools often with my family and friends. Then eat KFC with my family. Those hot pools were a highlight back then, although ironically I would always hate going on the slides, and they were the number one attraction. When I was younger, I also loved going fishing with my dad, it was really special.

Stewart Island and the nearby Ulva Island are dreamy Kiwi vacation destinations for actor JJ Fong. Photo / Emma Gleason

If you could vacation anywhere in New Zealand where you’ve never been, where would you choose?

Stewart Island. I’ve always wanted to go there because it’s so remote. Maybe I enjoy going to challenging places similar to Treasure Island.

Which indispensable item do you always take with you on a Kiwi vacation?

Rain, hail or sunshine, I always have my sunscreen with me.

NRL star Richie Barnett is one of the celebs hoping to be crowned the new season winner of TVNZ’s Celebrity Treasure Island. Photo / included

RICHIE BARNETT

NRL star

Where is your favorite vacation spot in New Zealand?

Matarangi because it was the place where my friend Danny Kinney’s father built a creek in 1984 and all of our close friends went to visit when there were very few houses, just pine trees. My wife and I decided to buy a plot of land with a trailer and utility room around 2010, and now our other friends have bought houses too. This has become our go-to place to celebrate each other’s birthdays by cooking great meals, drinking beer, and playing a great round of golf between us. You don’t want to lose this game as you have to pay for everything and if you forget to take your hat which is compulsory you will also be penalized.

Matarangi is even more special to me because it was during this time that I recovered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and this allowed me to rest and recover from the hustle and bustle of Auckland. It brought me back to nature, which gave me the best relaxation in the sun and sand. That is why this place is of great importance.

What are some of your fondest memories of family vacations in New Zealand?

When I was young, in the far north on our family land called Kaimaumau and East Beach. Our whole family from all over New Zealand spent six weeks together and we made a living on the land looking for fish, shellfish, lamb on a spit and lots of land to play and explore and connect with our wider wānau and culture.

If you could vacation anywhere in New Zealand where you’ve never been, where would you choose?

The Milford Track would be fantastic to experience the breathtaking scenery and just admire what we have in this country.

Which indispensable item do you always take with you on a Kiwi vacation?

I always take my supplements because they strengthen my immune system and reduce oxidative stress.

CHRIS PARKER

comedian

Where is your favorite vacation spot in New Zealand?

It would have to be the beautiful Nelson Tasman region. When I was growing up, my family went to Richmond Nelson every summer vacation. Well, Richmond might not scream “tropical resort,” but we would be staying in a school where all the students who lived there would return home for the holidays, so we had the entire school complex to ourselves. It included a huge field, fun dorm showers, and a pool. We were very #blessed and I made great memories. Well, the area just screams for me now for vacation.

What are some of your fondest memories of family vacations in New Zealand?

I have very strong (maybe not too positive) memories of a family vacation in the south, where my mother grew up in Mataura. Dad decided to ride the scenic route that felt like it was going to be 100 hours more. It was an emotionally turbulent road trip. Lots of tears and laughter. But when I think back to it, loving nostalgic memories of my family dynamics as a child flood me.

If you could vacation anywhere in New Zealand that you have never been, where would you choose?

I was very lucky that the work from Kaitaia to Makarora took me through all the nooks and crannies of New Zealand. One area that I really haven’t spent much time in and that I’ve only heard the best feedback about is Lake Tekapo. Heard it has great views, interesting scenery, and the best stars in New Zealand. So, I think this will be the next trip for me and the fiancee.

Comedian Chris Parker would love to spend more time at Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie region. Photo / Rachel Gillespie

Which indispensable item do you always take with you on a Kiwi vacation?

A great book that I read with the best of intentions and then never do it again.

Former Shortland Street actress Angela Bloomfield stars in the new season of TVNZ’s Celebrity Treasure Island. Photo / included

ANGELA BLOOMFIELD

Former Shortland Street actor

Where is your favorite vacation spot in New Zealand?

Traveling as a family has been firmly anchored since I was a child. Our family went on trips often, mostly around the North Island, and eventually our family trips went overseas – so I definitely got the urge to explore and have carried it on with my kids. We have been to many places in New Zealand but still have many places to explore. We don’t have a regular spot, but the highlight would have been Mt Cook this fall, which is just incredibly beautiful. I also have fond memories of a summer in Pakiri where we stayed in this beautiful private cottage with paintings and a curtain ceiling – it was like being from France. It even had a small lake with a lonely boat that the kids paddled around in.

What are some of your fondest memories of family vacations in New Zealand?

For me, vacation is all about people. And the food. But really the people. I love hanging out with my friends and family – and we may all want different things when it comes to being away from home, but there is always someone interested in exploring or playing a board game – me am pretty happy.

I feel traveling and exploring is a real fresh start and I get so much energy from it. I find the South Island and the mountains particularly relaxing compared to the energy of a big city. A few years ago my son and I went to Wānaka to climb mountains – which, by the way, you can’t do every day without exhaustion. I just loved it so much. And still I would come back because we haven’t seen that much.

If you could vacation anywhere in New Zealand that you have never been, where would you choose?

We haven’t been to Kaikōura yet – it was often on the table. It doesn’t really need an explanation – at least not for me. Aside from the fact that it is incredibly scenic, it is an opportunity to experience the kind of wildlife that we have no easier access to – whales, dolphins, seals – and it would be great to see these animals.

Angela Bloomfield would love to visit Kaikōura to see the marine life of the area up close. Photo / Mike Scott

Which indispensable item do you always take with you on a Kiwi vacation?

My camera. I am a terrible packer. I don’t think I used to be, but since I had kids and have to remember what everyone has to take with them, my packaging has become pretty useless as I forget important things like a toothbrush or a cap. So we always had to buy things. But I’ll never forget my camera.

Celebrity Treasure Island screens on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ OnDemand on Mondays from September 6th