The TV host talks about his new show, Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, which follows his fresh start in New Zealand.
Stream Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure Outside UK on ITVX for free
Noel Edmonds, the former Deal Or No Deal presenter turned New Zealand entrepreneur, admits:
Sometimes I struggle to explain why I’m so excited about this Kiwi adventure. It comes down to the land – the look, the feel of it. We have a beautiful home, and in the morning, we wake up to a view of the mountains. Whether or not you can see them tells you what the weather will be like.
He adds
He goes on to describe the surroundings:
Just a few kilometres away, there’s a beautiful beach, the Moutere River, and within an hour’s drive, you’re in serious bush – wild terrain. The scenery here is magical. Even after six years, we’ll go for a drive and still say: ‘Wow’.
Edmonds’ deep appreciation for New Zealand’s landscape and its people led him to welcome ITV camera crews into his new life, hoping to share with viewers back home what made him fall for the country. In Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, the 76-year-old TV presenter and radio DJ from Ilford opens the doors to his rural New Zealand home, revealing why he and his wife, Liz, decided to move 11,500 miles away.
Read More: Noel Edmonds Says New ITV Show Is Not Like ‘Clarkson’s Farm’
“We started our Kiwi adventure north of Auckland,” Edmonds says in an interview with the PA news agency. He explains,
If you understand the geography of the North Island, you’ll know Auckland dominates. It sits at the narrowest point, and of New Zealand’s five million people, around four million live in or around Auckland. So it’s quite busy up there. We rented a house – until you get residency, you can’t buy – and it was beautiful. Suddenly, we had all these Kiwi friends. It’s true what they say: Kiwis are very friendly. We had a fabulous social circle. But over time, it began to feel a bit like the UK or Europe. I even called it ‘Euro-Zealand’ because it was so busy – busy roads, constant building and development. So we decided to move again and ended up at the top of the South Island.
We’ve never regretted it. The Tasman region is stunning. Nelson is our nearest city, though it feels more like a large town. We’re very happy here.
Two years ago, Edmonds and his wife bought land near Ngatimoti, a quiet rural town in New Zealand’s South Island. They went on to build a hospitality business at the heart of the local community, complete with a vineyard, coffee cart, general store, and a combined restaurant and pub. In the series, viewers will see them getting ready to reopen for their second full season—while also witnessing the ups and downs that come with Edmonds’ bold business ideas.
His latest venture is to create New Zealand’s first community energy garden, but unexpected weather, negative media coverage, and the lingering sense of being an outsider all bring challenges.
“I like the challenge of it,” says Edmonds.
He describes the dramatic New Zealand weather: “The weather here has attitude… When it blows, it really blows… When it rains, it’s tropical stair-rodding rain… And the sun? It’ll burn you within 10 minutes in peak season.” He adds, “There are proper seasons here, which surprised me, but I like that. Oh, and earthquakes. We’ve had three.”
Recalling one, he says, “We were sitting outside with a glass of wine… I noticed the surface of the wine rippling – what’s going on? That was a mild one. The biggest one really shook the house… Liz and I each grabbed a dog and ran outside.” Thankfully, there was no damage. “But yes, earthquakes – and a dormant volcano just up the way. At least, we hope it’s dormant.”
Now embracing ethical and regenerative farming, Edmonds says, “Kiwi farming has been incredibly intense… That’s led to serious environmental issues.” On his land in Moutere Valley, he’s taking a different approach: “I’m trying to live in harmony with the natural environment and farm responsibly. I love it.”
The only problem? “It’s so beautiful here that I’ll walk my land and just stop for an hour, admiring the view – and not get any work done.”
It’s not just New Zealand’s stunning landscapes that won Edmonds over — it’s the people.
“What I love about New Zealanders – Kiwis – is their attitude of ‘give it a go’,” he says. Despite recent challenges, he believes that spirit still defines the nation. He admires their practical resilience:
They never throw anything away… Before the jet engine, it took ages for anything to reach New Zealand, so people held on to everything — just in case. They enjoy a good laugh and don’t take themselves or their politicians too seriously.
He also loves their laid-back nature:
In Matakana, he and Liz experienced heartfelt generosity: “During the flu outbreak, locals filled our mailbox with avocados, chocolates, and homemade treats – it was heartwarming.”
While the series celebrates the country’s beauty and community, Edmonds admits there’s also a personal motive behind returning to TV.
There’s a bit of ego involved, People still ask: ‘Noel Edmonds? Didn’t he die? Is he still around?’ Yes, I’m still here – and living life to the full.
he grins.
Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure premieres on ITV1 at 9pm on Friday, June 20, with all episodes available the same day on ITVX.
Source: Independent