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Meet the hosts of The Block NZ: Shelley Ferguson and Mark Richardson

Block-a-holics everywhere can start celebrating as season five of The Block NZ returns to Kiwi screens tonight, with Shelley Ferguson and Mark Richardson returning as season hosts

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Shelley Ferguson, challenge host

Your Home and Garden managing editor, and previous judge on The Block NZ, Shelley Ferguson has a real passion for décor, design, real estate and renovating.

Shelley started at Your Home and Garden magazine as an editorial assistant when she was 18-years-old. After working on a variety of magazines in both London and Auckland, she’s back at Your Home and Garden, this time as managing editor. Shelley is excited to see how this year’s teams tackle the new spaces.

“Because of rising house prices, many New Zealanders have had to ditch the quarter-acre dream and explore alternative housing options. I’m hoping the teams will embrace this year’s urban townhouse development, and show what creativity and good design can achieve with spaces of any size. Being friends, I can’t wait to see the team dynamics!”

Mark Richardson, host

Known for his quick wit and wry humour, sports broadcaster and cricket legend Mark Richardson is back hosting The Block NZ for a fifth season. Mark played 15 years of first-class cricket and five years of test cricket, including 38 test matches for the Black Caps until his 2004 retirement. A cricket commentator, sports presenter and radio announcer, Mark is also a published author. His 2006 book, Mark Richardson: Thinking Negatively, was written with sports psychologist Alexander Mackenzie, taking sports psychology to a wider audience.

The 44-year-old lives in Auckland with his wife Mary and their nine-year-old twins Annabel and Charlie.

“Facing a challenge like The Block NZ with your best mate by your side could have its advantages, and disadvantages. Divorce might not be on the cards at the end, but the teams will see the best and the worst of each other under pressure. If not everyone is pulling their weight it could create some real conflict. Will they have the same commitment to each other and the competition as siblings or a couple? I’m looking forward to seeing it play out on air.”

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