{"id":422456,"date":"2026-05-11T15:48:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T15:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/422456\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T15:48:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T15:48:34","slug":"meet-the-traitors-nz-season-3-contestants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/422456\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet The Traitors NZ season 3 contestants"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paul Henry<\/a> is out and Madeleine Sami<\/a> is in as the new host of murder-mystery reality series The Traitors NZ <\/a>\u2013 and she couldn\u2019t be more excited!<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve watched many of the international and local seasons of The Traitors, and find myself hooked every single time,\u201d says the star, 46. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s such an honour to be part of this new season. I love that it\u2019s a game of strategy and deception. I love that people go in with a desire to win, then betray each other. I love that it starts as a fun game, then everyone gets emotionally invested and that\u2019s when things escalate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked if she\u2019d rather be a Faithful or a Traitor, Madeleine replies, \u201cI\u2019m a moderately successful \u2013 and occasionally award-winning \u2013 actress. And I wouldn\u2019t want to use my skills for evil. In saying that, who wouldn\u2019t want to be a Traitor?!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Traitors NZ returns 31 May on Three and ThreeNow<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read on to learn more about the 21 Kiwi contestants set to engage in treachery and deceit in South Canterbury\u2019s Castle Claremont in order to win an epic cash prize\u2026<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAaron, 42\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tTriathlete, Queenstown\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

A member of the NZ Order of Merit for his services to sport, he\u2019s a DOC worker and Ironman athlete by day. And a gym instructor, author and speaker by night.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAroha, 32\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tHR consultant, Auckland\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The sporty, quick-witted competitor describes herself as a chameleon who can adapt herself to suit any situation. And claims she\u2019s good at reading other people.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tBradley, 27\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tYouth pastor, Auckland\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Born on the Coromandel, he was a \u201csuper-naughty kid\u201d until he found his faith. The former primary school teacher is now a massive fan of Survivor, fantasy football and strategic games.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tChloe, 31\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tBusiness owner, Auckland\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

A solo mum who quit her media career to run her own e-commerce store, this self-described \u201cbig personality\u201d confesses she struggles to control her facials.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDave, 48\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tSports announcer, Nelson\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

A former radio producer for The Hits, the reality TV superfan came fourth in 2023\u2019s Treasure Island: Fans V Faves. Where he was eliminated by Dame Susan Devoy.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDr Debbie, 64\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tLecturer, Wellington\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This education expert loves a good gossip, has a strong sense of humour and gets on with everyone. She says she\u2019s \u201cnot a bad wee actor\u201d and isn\u2019t afraid to \u201cpull the mum card\u201d.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tHannah, 31\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAt-home mum, Bay of Plenty\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

A self-confessed \u201cwitch and feminist\u201d, she lives in a house bus. Where she homeschools her three sons to stand up for what\u2019s right.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tHarrison, 36 \t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tOffice manager, Sweden\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Born and raised in Aotearoa but now based in Europe, the Traitors obsessive wants to leave a mark on the game with his sassy style.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tJames, 49\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tTV captioner, Auckland\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Before subtitling telly shows, this smart cookie spent a decade designing tabletop war games. Which should come in handy when it comes to strategy!<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tKate, 20\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tActress, Auckland\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Having starred alongside Florence Pugh in Netflix\u2019s upcoming East Of Eden<\/a>, this creative reckons her acting training has all been leading to a big Traitors win!<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

Of M\u0101ori, Tongan and Welsh descent, the queer artist has played at major music festivals, like Glastonbury and Coachella. As well as appearing in a Justin Bieber music video.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tMaruia, 43\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tTeacher, Tokoroa\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This Waikato gran is a cardshark with a fearsome poker face. And has also worked in TV, writing and directing for shows such as Ahik\u0101roa and Hui Hoppers.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tRyan, 24 \t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAudio engineer, Auckland\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a producer of podcasts and audiobooks, but his real passion is music. His duo Flat Whites released the single Elizabeth in 2023.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tSamantha, 30\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tTeacher, Queenstown\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Describing herself as a modern-day \u201cMiss Honey from Matilda\u201d, she once went viral for a video on how to teach six-year-olds about racism.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tViolette, 20 \t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAthlete, Auckland\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Having represented Aotearoa in both water polo and athletics, this high-achieving sportswoman has also attended Yale University in the US.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tElliott, 33\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tComedian, Wellington\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

A financial analyst by day and a stand-up comic by night, this agent of chaos lives to entertain. And he isn\u2019t afraid to make risky moves.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tJannaia, 27\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tPersonal trainer, Wellington\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The Samoan former powerlifting champ now competes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He is driven by the motto, \u201cIf you\u2019re not first, you\u2019re last!\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tJill, 50\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tReceptionist, Nelson\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Life begins at 50 for this mum of two and \u201cmaster of niceness\u201d, who is willing to play \u201cdumb and innocent\u201d in order to get ahead. She\u2019s hardworking and competitive.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tMaria, 36\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tTeacher, Wellington\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The sister of star comedians Paul and Guy Williams<\/a>, she\u2019s also a comic performer \u2013 and she\u2019s here to \u201chave fun, go a bit nuts and make good TV\u201d!<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tMichael, 44\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tBakery manager, Auckland\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

A craft beer and cricket enthusiast, he lost his job in Chicago during COVID and moved back to NZ. There, he instantly met his new wife.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tRachel, 55\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAuthor, Christchurch\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

She\u2019s written four novels and won an award for her literary reviews. Now the sharp-eyed creative is keen to show off her traitorous side and trust her gut in order to win big.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Profile\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAuthor
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSebastian van der Zwan\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tWoman’s Day Editor\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

With a 20-year career spanning both sides of the Tasman, magazine lover Seb is the editor of\u00a0Woman\u2019s Day NZ, having previously edited\u00a0NW\u00a0and\u00a0The Australian Women\u2019s Weekly NZ. Born and based in T\u0101maki Makaurau, he\u2019s got his finger firmly on the pulse when it comes to local music, movies, TV and celebrities, and he\u2019s passionate about travel, wildlife and conservation. No stranger to a royal tour, Seb\u2019s claim to fame is once beating Prince Harry in a pub quiz on Stewart Island. Don\u2019t ask about his stint on reality TV!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Paul Henry is out and Madeleine Sami is in as the new host of murder-mystery reality series The…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":422457,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[3376,5136,156,160829,111,139,69,79084,7574,143510,216869,437],"class_list":["post-422456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-actor","tag-drama","tag-entertainment","tag-madeleine-sami","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-paul-henry","tag-teacher","tag-the-traitors-nz","tag-three-now","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=422456"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422456\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/422457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=422456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=422456"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=422456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}