Budget restrictions, ongoing drama and sneaky tactics kept the teams busy during outdoor week on The Block NZ. Get a closer look at all the room reveals and watch the judges’ comments below
The Block NZ teams reveal the first part of their outdoor areas
This week on The Block NZ, it was crucial for the contestants to nail the first stage of transforming their building site into an outdoor oasis. Just as kitchens and bathrooms sell houses; having an outdoor space for entertaining, especially in land-strapped Auckland, is a definite way to increase the value of a house.
The contestants breathed a collective sigh of relief to find out that tough judge Jason was away on a business trip this week. Replacing him was RadioLive presenter and landscape designer Tony Morrell. While he and regular judge Kristina Rapley had lots of positive feedback their scoring left some of the teams feeling a bit deflated – even Amy and Stu received their lowest score on The Block this season.
The playing field wasn’t exactly even this week with Ben & Tom and Chlo & Em receiving a strict budget of $5000 in order to curb their overspending. The teams had to hustle hard and get their hands dirty to stretch their budget as far as possible. Both teams came well under budget spending $2723 and $2090 respectively.
The judges commended Ben and Tom on their well-finished deck but their lack of styling, unfortunately, let them down yet again. Chlo and Em on the hand impressed the judges with their well-dressed table and choice of plants. They may have got styling down pat but the judges felt the space lacked in practicality.
Claire and Agni were feeling cashed-up and positive following their win last week for their living room. The Hamilton couple decided to switch things up and moved their entertainment area from the patio to the larger space reserved for “outdoor week”. The judges loved the addition of a frosted glass privacy wall but felt Claire and Agni’s styling was a bit overboard. “It’s a little bit in your face,” says Kristina. “I think it needs a little bit more refining and then I think it will be spot on.”
Amy and Stu’s ongoing feud with Claire and Agni continued to rumble on this week. Fuelled by the way they lost out on winning living room week when Claire and Agni played a ‘minus one’ on the scoreboard. Despite the drama, the Gizzy couple got on with completing their “old meets new” brief and, true to form, impressed the judges.
With so many high scores and room reveal wins under their toolbelt, it came as a slight surprise when Tony scored Amy and Stu a 7.5. But it was all evened out with Kristina’s score of 8.5, and the team went on to take home yet another room reveal win.
Scroll to get a closer look at each space and watch the judges’ comments.

Watch the judges’ comments

The boys had to play it safe this week with their strict $5000. But they managed to call in a couple of favours and built a stylish deck.

Ben and Tom’s patio area is wooden decking, which connects seamlessly with the dining and kitchen area.

The repeated use of LED lighting strips connects this space to the kitchen and dining area.

The judges were let down by Ben and Tom’s lack of styling.

While the judges thought the space was finished to a high quality they felt the space needed more plants and perhaps something on the white wall.

Watch the judges’ comments

Amy and Stu chose an ‘old meets new’ theme and impressed the judges by the way they’d split the space into two zones.

Once side was for relaxing.

Amy and Stu’s patio space made room for both dining and entertaining.

The judges did feel like it was more of a summer space and thought it felt a bit exposed to the elements

Kristina loved their well-considered styling.

Watch the judges’ comments

Chlo and Em were also stuck with a $5,000 budget this week and had to work hard to complete their “hostess with the mostess” brief.

The judges were immediately impressed by the styling of their table.

Rapley and Bonham liked the way the chairs in the girls’ patio space complemented the brickwork and thought the light shade was a good choice – even though it was the only source of light outside.


Overall the judges thought Chlo and Em had styled the space elegantly but it wasn’t very practical.

Watch the judges’ comments

Claire and Agni created a relaxing, lounge area in their patio.

They called their theme “65% perfect”.

The judges thought the glass wall and outdoor rug was a great idea.

Unfortunately Claire and Agni’s overuse of colours, textures and layers was too much for the judges with Kristina saying, “It’s a little fussy for me.”

Kristina says,“It’s a little bit in your face. I think it needs a little bit more refining and then I think it will be spot on.”
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