After a wild, challenging and stormy 14 days on the Island - Treasure Island: Fans v Faves has found its winner for 2023!
It came down to More FM announcer Cochrane-Searle, battling former world squash champion Dame Susan Devoy and TV Breakfast host Matty McLean to dig for the $50,000 grand prize hidden in the deserted Fiji island.
It was a battle that took them across the sand, water and through the wild untamed forest, deciphering the clues and using the mysterious “stones of power” they had collected through the season to their advantage.
[Warning: Spoiler Alert below!]
And after an exhausting race, it was Matty McLean who was in tears as he discovered the hidden treasure chest.
Matty’s $50,000 prize will be donated to Zeal Education Trust, as well as a further $10,000 he also won in the final charity challenge.
Both Dame Susan and Lana had also won money for their charities in previous challenges, so neither of the runner-ups left the island empty-handed.
Both Dame Susan and Lana had also won money for their charities in previous challenges, so neither of the runner-ups left the island empty-handed.
“This is just beyond my wildest dreams,” Matty told show co-hosts Jayden Daniels and Bree Tomasel.
“This money is going to a charity I feel so passionately about, and I just think of all the kids’ lives that this is going to change. I’m so, so happy.
“And I just think about little me watching this show not believing in himself ... today, I think for the first time ever, I really have that belief in myself.”
You can stream all episodes of this year’s Treasure Island: Fans V Faves series now on TVNZ+.
