'Struggle after struggle': Celebrity Treasure Island 2026 winner

The winner of Celebrity Treasure Island 2026 has described a season of struggle after struggle on the way to claiming the title.

The format's mix of physical challenges, food deprivation and shifting alliances tends to reward endurance as much as athleticism, and this season was no exception.

Contestants play for charities, which raises the stakes beyond personal pride and shapes how far people are willing to push themselves.

The finale drew a strong local audience, continuing the show's run as one of the more durable New Zealand reality formats.

The winner said the hardest part was mental rather than physical — staying steady while the game rearranged itself around them each week.