LEGO Masters NZ premieres soon
Posted by FlagsNZ,
After taking over the world tiny brick by tiny brick, the global phenomenon of LEGO Masters will soon be exploding onto New Zealand screens.
Hosted by Dai Henwood, LEGO Masters NZ will test the imaginations and the building skills of six teams in New Zealand's first national brick-off.
Read on as I introduce Dai Henwood and his sidekick, Canadian Brickmaster Robin Sather, in the hopes to find the first team in Aotearoa - New Zealand judged worthy to hold aloft the coveted LEGO Masters NZ trophy.
From father-and-daughter duos, long-time friends, to Christchurch mum friends, our teams of two from across Aotearoa - New Zealand will be asked to create awe-inspiring LEGO structures working against each other and the clock.
Matanga Pereki, Brickmaster Robin Sather will test the teams with new challenges created especially for NZ – from a Kiwiana island getaway, a cricketing nation special, to LEGO Masters favourites such as the cut in half challenges, this series will have it all.
The tasks will include a set of colourful mixtures of new and classic LEGO building challenges, which will be judged on aesthetics, technical and storytelling ability.
LEGO Masters NZ will also introduce viewers to the ‘Power Brick’. Created by the Matanga Pereki, Brickmaster himself, this unique brick protects and favours those who possess it.
The first episode of the series will see the teams compete for the ‘Power Brick’, a talisman that, if used wisely, will boost their chances of making the Grand Final.
With comedian Dai Henwood running the show, be watching for some fun along with brick toppling drama and the unscripted craziness that is sure to happen when you let LEGO brick fans loose with more than 2.5 million bricks.
Hosts
The hosts for LEGO Masters NZ are Dai Henwood and Matanga Pereki, Brickmaster Robin Sather.
HOST - DAI HENWOOD
Having loved LEGO creating since he was a child in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), when the series was announced Dai jumped at the chance at being involved in the brick-tastic new local show. New Zealand viewers might recognise Dai from 7 Days, Family Feud, or previously hosting Dancing with the Stars.
Now set to host the most colourful series on TVNZ 2, Dai’s responsible for holding the fun and chaos of LEGO building together. From providing the teams with their challenges to checking on them as they’re working through their builds, Dai’s there to offer an ear or a joke to help ease the mood!
Recently getting back into the building game after being inspired by the series and building with his family he’s recently created the bonsai tree which was designed by the only New Zealand LEGO designer: Nick Vás.
How has working with Brickmaster Robin been? Has he inspired you to get into building?
I have loved working with Robin. We quickly became friends on and off-screen. Canadians and Kiwis have similar sensibilities and I love to pick his brain on all things LEGO creating. He was the man who told me about the Bonsai tree. He has inspired me to start using more robotics and motors in my building.
The contestants on the show are huge LEGO brick fans, can you tell us what the environment on set was like?
The contestants have been such a wonderful mix of Kiwis. Mums, mates, couples, and a Dad and daughter. I am so impressed at their building skills as well. Definitely world-class. They all handled the pressure of time very well and brought smiles to the set as well as a bit of stress at times!
Have you got a favourite challenge that LEGO Masters has done before?
The bridge challenge! I love watching teams have to build a bridge that gets put under weight stress. I love seeing how much a build can hold before it breaks!
After filming, what trick/piece of advice have the contestants taught you that our viewers could use for their LEGO builds?
Don’t be afraid to pivot no matter how far through your build you are. You can change anything at any time when it comes to LEGO building. Also, in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt “Try things you think you cannot do”.
MATANGA PEREKI, BRICKMASTER - ROBIN SATHER
If you’re going to do a local version, you’ve got to do it right and what better way than with LEGO Certified Professional 001. Based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Robin and his wife moved to Aotearoa - New Zealand for the LEGO Masters NZ production.
As Brickmaster, Robin’s role extends off-screen as much as on. From setting the challenges (and making sure they work!), auditioning the hopeful contestants and of course, judging the final builds!
Attesting that we’ve got some truly amazing builders that have created some of the very best to be seen on LEGO Masters globally, Robin is excited for viewers to see the creativity that exists in New Zealand's backyard!
You’re an LCP – LEGO Certified Professional, which is exciting – what does that mean?
When I started my LEGO-based events and creations company, Brickville DesignWorks back in 2004, I was not officially supported by the LEGO Group. But it obviously made a ton of sense to work together!
So, I drafted a proposal for the LEGO Group, outlining how it could support talented entrepreneur builders who want to take their passion for the brick to a professional level. The LEGO Certified Professional program was born out of that collaboration, and I became LCP #1!
What can viewers expect from season one of LEGO Masters NZ?
We found some of the best LEGO builders in New Zealand, and we set them loose in our LEGO Masters brick pit, with over 2.5 million bricks to play with. Then we gave them hours and hours of focused time to come up with amazing creations. And boy did they deliver! I can’t wait for viewers to see what these brilliant Kiwi builders came up with!
You’ve spent the last few months in Aotearoa - New Zealand, have you been enjoying it?
Absolutely loving it! My wife accompanied me on this adventure, and we’ve had the chance to begin exploring the stunning island of wonder that is Aotearoa - New Zealand. Beaches, wonderful people, coffee, culture, fries and pies, and did I mention the amazing Kiwi people? It’s going to be tough to leave!
Meet the LEGO building teams
Six teams are hoping to take home the title of Aotearoa - New Zealand's LEGO Masters trophy.
ANDREW AND GEORGIE
FATHER AND DAUGHTER
- Name: Andrew and Georgie Palmer Age: 49 and 19
- Occupation: Geotechnical Engineer and Student
- Location: Mapua and Dunedin
Hailing from the top of the South Island, this father and daughter duo are hoping they’ve got what it takes to win Aotearoa - New Zealand's first LEGO Masters. Georgie was the decision behind entering the series – she couldn’t turn down the opportunity to build with 2.5 million bricks; a once in a lifetime opportunity!
When it came to finding their passion with LEGO building, Andrew built as a child in the 70s, and then just kept creating! When he moved to New Zealand from England, he shipped his childhood brick collection out and has been adding to it ever since. As the main toy around her growing up, naturally Georgie followed her father’s LEGO building passion.
Q&A
Which of your past builds took you the longest?
Andrew:
Some of my childhood builds used just about my entire collection and took ages to put together. Not much colour discipline back then though. All the builds were a hotchpotch of colour, like a patchwork quilt.
Georgie:
Last year, I built an island with an early settlers’ style cottage on it, which took me about twenty hours! I wanted to practice building something to the approximate scale of a LEGO Masters build, but it was really hard with the relatively limited parts I have at home.
What would be your dream LEGO challenge on LEGO Masters NZ?
Andrew:
I’d love a bridge challenge or maybe the tallest tower build.
Georgie:
I’d love some more real-life building challenges on the show, rather than fantastical ones, as that’s where our building strengths lie.
What are some of your inspirations when it comes to building?
Andrew:
I like to recreate real-life in miniature, particularly structures and machines. I’m not much into fantasy creations.
Georgie:
I enjoy watching LEGO builder’s YouTube posts, but most of my build inspiration comes from seeing what pieces I have available and making the coolest thing possible out of that. I never order parts especially for a build – to me, part of the fun of home LEGO building is the problem-solving when it comes to part limitations.
But on LEGO Masters, it’s such a different building experience and that’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
EMILY AND SARAH
MUMS
- Name: Emily Fryer and Sarah Mosley
- Age: 41 and 40
- Occupation: Conservator (objects) and Fitness Instructor
- Location: Christchurch Based in Otautahi,
Emily and Sarah met through their oldest children when they started school five years ago. Although they’ve done lots of building separately, this competition will be the first time they combine their creative skills together and work on one project. Both wanted to enter and get amongst the brick pit; Sarah needed a partner and Emily was up for the challenge of competing on the series – and the rest is history!
Together they’re currently working on creating a wellness programme for their children’s school where they can explore and create with LEGO bricks. Emily actually taught her children colours by giving them bricks! Will our Christchurch Mums have what it takes to become Aotearoa - New Zealand’s first-ever LEGO Masters champions?
Q&A
Tell us about where your passion for LEGO building came from?
Emily:
I have been into LEGO building since I was very little. Once I went to university it was mainly packed away. I got back into LEGO and DUPLO when Olivia, my eldest child was born 10 years ago. I love creating my own ideas and stories in LEGO and LEGO DUPLO bricks.
Sarah:
I built a lot when I was a kid and reignited when my son got into it.
Which of your past builds took you the longest?
Emily:
I made a dress from LEGO bricks which took around nine months to build!
Sarah:
I’m quite a slow builder if I have to follow instructions. I particularly like building cute creatures and giving them personalities. I have been playing single colour builds but using a variety of bricks; this takes ages as it's almost like building a puzzle as the bricks need to fit together yet are all different shapes and sizes.
What would be your dream LEGO challenge on LEGO Masters NZ?
Emily:
I would love to compete in the snow globe challenge. The technical challenge of giving a whole different appearance to a build when it ‘snows’ would be awesome and challenging!
Sarah:
I really want a wearable arts challenge or a DUPLO challenge.
AMY AND ADAM
MARRIED COUPLE
- Name: Amy and Adam Richards
- Age: 38 and 41
- Occupation: Accounts Payable and Computer Programmer
- Location: Christchurch
Based in Christchurch, Amy and Adam have been married for 11 years and have two children.
Although huge LEGO builders, they only recently started building together ahead of competing on the series. Instead, they’d build side by side but on different projects. They’ve found that combining their skills was a great way to grow their skill sets. Heading into LEGO Masters they are excited to meet other talented builders!
As they’re not hugely active within the AFOL communities, they are excited to meet like-minded new friends. After watching international versions, they both agreed if a local version came to Aotearoa - New Zealand they’d enter – and here they are!
Q&A
What are some of your inspirations when it comes to building?
Amy:
I like to build things that will make our boys (Lincoln, seven and Elliott, five) happy. I think about what they would play with and modify to add their own touches. If not building for them, I like to replicate real-world items and buildings with my own twist added.
Adam:
I don’t watch a lot of YouTube, and we don’t make it to as many conventions as we’d like. For me, inspiration comes at the most random times – sometimes I’ll see something on TV or in the real world and think I can build that. Other times it can start by looking at a weird LEGO piece and thinking of something new I can do with it.
What is your ‘brick pit’ like at home?
Amy:
We have a build room. It used to be the kid’s playroom, but now there are only LEGO bricks in there, and we all share it. We don’t have a lot, so we get stuck for parts often and have to improvise. We also have a room with most of our sets displayed. It has overflowed around the rest of the house though, and we have LEGO bricks everywhere except the bathrooms.
Adam:
We used to have a single LEGO brick storage room, but it’s now at the point where almost every room in the house has LEGO bricks in it! Might need to get rid of some furniture to make more space.
What is your favourite LEGO brick and why?
Amy:
I like the ball joint and socket parts as they allow the LEGO brick to go in so many more directions to stop it from being a square build.
Adam:
The binoculars – it’s a tiny piece that you can use in a lot of unusual ways.
GLENN AND JAKE
LEGO MATES
- Name: Glenn Knight and Jake Roos
- Age: 45 and 43
- Occupation: IT Administrator and Climate Change Consultant
- Location: Pahiatua and Kapiti
These LEGO mates are excited to head into the workroom and take on the challenges set by our Brickmaster! Meeting back in 2016 at a LEGO building show in Upper Hutt, the two took note of each other’s skill, having both walked away with awards that year.
Jake was keen to get involved when the series was announced. He reached out to Glenn straight away about working together. Although they live two hours apart, they met up constantly to develop ideas and concepts for challenges the Brickmaster could create. With Jake’s strong technical ability and Glenn’s storytelling and aesthetics, they’re hoping their background and balance will make them stand out in the LEGO Masters challenges.
Q&A
What were you most excited about when entering LEGO Masters NZ?
Glenn:
I was most excited about the challenges we would be facing, and seeing how far we could push ourselves – the opportunity to build with 2.5 million Lego bricks!
Jake:
Being able to focus on building and nothing else, to work as part of an effective team and be able to achieve things I never would otherwise.
Tell us about your passion for LEGO brick building – how did you get into it?
Glenn:
I had LEGO brick sets as a kid but grew out of it as most people do, then in 2016, a friend brought me a LEGO brick set for my birthday. I had this huge feeling of nostalgia and that was the start of my LEGO building journey as an adult. Building gives me many things; it can relax me, it can give me problems to solve, I love the fact that if you can think of it, you can build it from bricks.
Jake:
I got my first LEGO brick set when I was four – it was a spaceship and because I was so young, my Dad helped me finish building it. But over the years I took it apart and rebuilt it into a hundred different things, along with the few other sets I got when I turned six, eight and 10.
In my teenage years and twenties, I took a break but was drawn back eventually, especially when I had kids of my own, and then subsequently when I connected with other adult fans of LEGO.
I’ve always had a creative streak, and LEGO building is a medium that everyone loves and is interested in. My passion for it comes from the joy of solving technical challenges and the reactions I get when people see my work.
EMILY AND LIAM
FLATMATES
- Name: Emily Laing and Liam Hagenson
- Age: 28 and 30 Occupation: Executive Assistant and Auto-Refinisher
- Location: Southland and Pukekohe
Emily and Liam were flatmates before she recently made a move down south to Gore. Having met five years ago through mutual friends, Emily helped Liam find his love for LEGO building once again after visiting her LEGO brick filled apartment.
When it came to entering the competition, it was a no-brainer that they’d partner up together and compete. Having already made many builds together at home, which they’ve displayed at brick shows, they know how to collaboratively work together, which will help when it comes to the timekeeping! As for LEGO brick fails, Liam learnt quickly to always tidy up after you’re building otherwise you stand on a brick on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night!
Q&A
Tell us about your passion for LEGO brick building – how did you get into it?
Emily:
I’ve always liked LEGO building ever since childhood, but I had a resurgence in my teenage years and kept going with it as I had more disposable income.
Liam:
I’ve been building since I was four. I was given the LEGO brick Hot Rod Club set, #6561 as my parents were in the local hot rod club! I was obsessed with both cars and LEGO bricks and it sparked a passion.
What are some of your inspirations when it comes to building?
Emily:
Mostly I build from pop culture references and my own imagination, but I do watch some YouTube channels and go to brick shows up and down the country each year.
Liam:
We mainly build in reference to Pop Culture, landscapes, and scenes from our favourite movies, video games, and books. We like to build things people enjoy and recognise! These are the best things to take to conventions, such as the Auckland Brick Show where we will usually display.
What challenges are you hoping will be in LEGO Masters to compete in?
Emily:
I have practised for the upside-down build, half on top half and on the bottom so I’m hoping that makes an appearance.
Liam:
The cut in half challenge, taking something ordinary and turning it into something awesome.
JONO AND DAN
BRICK BUDDIES
- Name: Jonathan Samson and Daniel Mulholland
- Age: 44 and 46
- Occupation: Entrepreneur and Self-Employed
- Location: Gisborne and Upper Hutt
Brick Buddies Jono and Dan can’t wait to get into the brick pit and build things they’ve never be able to at home, with 2.5 million bricks at their disposal and meeting 001, Brickmaster Robin.
Both are heavily involved within the AFOL scene Dan runs brick show exhibitions after his son wanted to go and see one and it didn’t exist – so he made one! Since then, it’s been a serious hobby for him for the last seven years. These buddies actually met in 2017 at the Hawke’s Bay Brick Show.
Dan helped organise the show and Jono was there to do a talk. With their mutual passion for building, they hit it off and have been friends ever since.
Q&A
Whose idea was it to enter LEGO Masters NZ?
Jono:
Mine! I immediately thought of Dan, because of our shared sense of humour, similar life experiences and common battles with mental health and wellbeing. As for why? Are you kidding, it’s LEGO Masters NZ , I want to be a LEGO Master. Seeing the shows from overseas I always wished it would come to Aotearoa. And when it did it was a no brainer. I had to play.
Dan:
Jono’s: He called me up and asked me if I’d do it with him. I asked him one question - what would you do if we were in the final build and the other team’s model collapsed in the last five minutes? He said, push ours off the table. That was what I wanted to hear, so I said yes!
What challenge are you hoping will be in LEGO Masters to compete in?
Jono:
I’m looking forward to the half-and-half challenge and hope we get a chance to give that a go during the season!
Dan:
I’d really love the Minifig Hero challenge where you put the hero fig in the front and build a scene that gets blown up behind them.
What is your ‘brick pit’ like at home?
Jono:
My brick space is half sorted, half a huge pile of unsorted mess.
Dan:
It’s pretty cool actually, I livestream LEGO builds and last year my wife and I rebuilt my LEGO brick room and parts storage to be behind my desk. I love it, and it’s very functional. I have a pretty decent collection of parts, but there’s never enough to build the things I want of course!
LEGO Masters NZ
LEGO Masters NZ premieres Monday 9th May, 7:30pm on TVNZ 2.
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15 comments on this article
Hard to keep track of all of them :) Watching USA, Australia, Holland, UK and soon NZ.
Had no idea our close cousins had their own series. Will try and watch this too.
Still surprises me we've not had another season of the UK one yet. Especially when we're the one that started it all.
@GrizBe said:
"Still surprises me we've not had another season of the UK one yet. Especially when we're the one that started it all."
I guess that's because of Bricksit
I hope this will be available to international viewers!
Currently we are enjoying the new Australian season (our favorite of all the different international versions of LEGO Masters we have watched). It would be nice if we could follow it up with this one.
Looking forward to when it eventually reaches UK TV screens. So far I think the Aussie one is the best of the bunch so curious to see how NZ stacks up
Upper Hutt? I love it! I wish all the contestants good luck and best building!
The bar set by the Aussie version is quite high, so good luck.
Sounds exciting! Wishing the best to all who compete!
I still feel like it's a missed opportunity for Fox (the U.S. network that hosts Lego Masters) to not make other countries' versions of the show available either to stream or during the "off season". I know pirated uploads are an option but it feels like making them more easily available would be easy money for a TV network.
@tielenaar said:
"Hard to keep track of all of them :) Watching USA, Australia, Holland, UK and soon NZ."
Where can people watch these? I'm in the US; I'm assuming I need to stream it using a VPN or something?
@Bagelwolf said:
" @tielenaar said:
"Hard to keep track of all of them :) Watching USA, Australia, Holland, UK and soon NZ."
Where can people watch these? I'm in the US; I'm assuming I need to stream it using a VPN or something?"
I can watch Holland because I live there, for the rest I have to be a little 'creative', but can't get into too much detail. I guess with a VPN you have the best legal chance.
I believe the old UK ones are on Amazon prime now.
Dai Henwood? Really?! That's the level they're at? Oh no. No no no no no. Car wreck TV.
@tielenaar said:
"Hard to keep track of all of them :) Watching USA, Australia, Holland, UK and soon NZ."
do you have a favourite? I have only seen the Australian one and now planning to start the others
We loved the Australian one — does anyone know when Series 3 will be on UK TV? The fact they’re not Americans makes it watchable (no offence but Americans in game shows always provide a hysterical, vainglorious, overdramatised commentary on their own actions; the Aussies just got on with it and didn’t take themselves too seriously).
Great to see our Kiwi brothers having a go at Lego Masters! I'm sure it will be great!
Imagine if Sam Neill was a guest on the show!