Kids bring Kiwi flavour to Oz show

Zion Nicholas and Kaha Takuira-Mita were away filming the latest series of Camp Orange at Sea World on the Gold Coast in Australia from March 16 to 22 - and had to keep everything a secret. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

Te Puke cousins Kaharoa (or Kaha) Takuira-Mita and Zion Nicholas will feature on a Nickelodeon reality TV show starting next month after beating thousands of hopefuls for a spot on it.

Camp Orange is a reality game show that brings best friends together and celebrates kids being kids in the great outdoors.

Focusing on positive fair play, teams compete for cool prizes and experiences but ultimately aim to be voted "Champ Orange", awarded to the best and fairest team.

This year, 7000 children entered, hoping to be a part of the series, with one other duo coming from New Zealand.

Kaha and Zion entered the competition late last year after watching the series for the first time.

Kaha said he was staying at Zion's home in the Christmas holidays when an advertisement came on the Nickelodeon channel asking people to apply for this season.

The two boys went camping the next weekend and started filming their audition tape.

"We called our team the 'Kiwi Cuzzies' so we put some Kiwi and New Zealand things in the audition, like the haka."

The duo were away filming the series at Sea World on the Gold Coast in Australia from March 16 to 22.

The 12-year-old, who had to keep the show a secret until now, said they were busy the whole time they were away.

"We had about five cameras in our faces the whole time."

Initially, Kaha said he was sceptical and surprised when they were selected for the show but his cousin was more confident.

"From the moment he (Zion) had the idea, that's just the kind of person he is."

Being part of the show was the best thing they had ever done.

"We got to meet Timomatic and other famous people. I can't really give away too much about our challenges but they were all exciting."

Kaha said he was unsure about his fame once the show aired.

When the two boys came home, their families had a welcome home party at the airport.

"It took a while to 'get back to reality' since we had been treated like stars over there," Kaha said.

"I don't think it's sunk in about being on TV yet and I am a bit nervous but I won't know until the first episode is on in a few weeks."

Camp Orange will be returning from June 10 and the winners will be voted for by New Zealand and Australian children watching from home.