"I was torn. Half of me wanted to and the other half didn't. I guess because after last time it was a bit crazy, especially for me, and I copped a lot of everything, from the hate to the good stuff," he says. "There was a lot of attention. And after two years everything had died down a bit, but now it's just going to get crazy again, and I didn't know if I was up for that. But in the end I said yes."
Things have changed somewhat for the cast between season one and two. Jade Ruwhiu and Jessi Nugent have broken up, Noema and Jade Louise Dewson Harawira have broken up, Nate Waikato has a new girlfriend (Brooke James) and they've moved out of the 40th-floor apartment at Broadbeach.
And Arkle, her partner Zane Houia, Noema and Ruwhiu have moved into a larger house.
"We just needed more room, don't want to be stepping on other people's toes and stuff like that," Noema explains. "And obviously when we party we do like to party, and apartments ain't really the best for it. Down here we can make as much noise as we want, we can have 100 people come through the door and it's not a problem."
"It's really good being on land, too," Arkle adds. "And we've got a cool backyard and a pool, and it's a really nice property."
Indeed, one thing the cast of The GC seem to have been consistently is successful. They may like to party and spend a lot of time on their images, but they're an ambitious bunch who work hard for their lifestyle.
"You'll probably see a bit more behind the scenes this time," Arkle says. "More about how [we] make it work - [we're] very ambitious for sure."
Houia is getting ready to launch his own clothing label.
"That's something he's always wanted to do because he's so fashion-forward, he loves his clothes and it's right up his alley," Arkle laughs.
"He constantly can't find clothes that he likes so he's always wanted to make his own stuff. It's very exciting for him."
Meanwhile, Noema has moved on from the scaffolding business and has taken on a new challenge as co-owner of a male topless waitering company KiwiRize.
"I was asked if I'd be keen to join and I said, 'yeah sure'. I keep myself fit anyway, so I may as well jump in and have a go on the business side. I always enjoy a challenge and it's something different from doing your normal nine-to-five."
This new business focus, and a need to keep his figure in top condition, has seen Noema spending less time partying this season, too.
"Going into business kinda made me pull back on drinking and stuff," he says. "Instead of going out four nights a week, you just pull back a bit and concentrate on business stuff instead. Can't be partying and going hard all your life, you gotta wind it down eventually. I'm not getting any younger," the 25-year-old laughs.
The ladies work hard, too - Arkle is an in-demand model and when she's not doing photo shoots she works as a book-keeper. Harawira is still working hard on her career as a singer (her debut single Vibrations made it to No1 on iTunes when it was released in 2012). James is an executive assistant and DJ Tuini works full-time as a Queensland club DJ, while also balancing being a single mum.
One thing they all have to contend with, though, is keeping in touch with their Maori side while "living the dream" across the Ditch.
In fact, one of the requirements for the show to receive more funding from Te Mangai Paho (Maori Broadcast Funding Agency) was to show more Maori culture, and in particular to use more te reo. Was that difficult for the cast? "Keeping in touch with that side of things all depends on who you are, really," says Noema. "I grew up learning Maori and I was schooled in Maori until I went to intermediate.
"Most of my family is fluent so for me it's not too hard. I struggle to talk back but I can still understand it all."
Arkle is now the only non-Maori cast member, but she finds she still fits in easily when the gang get into talking about it. "I grew up in Whangarei so I learned a lot of stuff at school, and I think I know more about it than the boys do to be honest," she laughs. "No, not really, but I just tease them because we took a Maori class and I knew more."
As to whether or not they feel the show is an accurate depiction of their lives: "I guess you'll never really know until you've been and lived on the Coast," laughs Noema. "But the show is exactly how it is for us, and probably a lot of other Maori guys. They're all fitness-oriented, do themselves up, look after themselves and play the game. It's just how it is. Everyone is chasing tail over here."
Arkle agrees. "We can't speak for everybody who's a Kiwi living on the Gold Coast, but the show is about a snippet of our lives and that's what we're like."
Why should taxpayers fund the show?
The first series of The GC, which was aired in 2012, was given $420,000 by NZ On Air. There was some strong public feedback at the time which suggested some were displeased with taxpayer money having been given to the reality show, despite the fact it was clearly drawing a large audience, including among young Maori.
The second season, which was produced by Eyeworks New Zealand/Black Inc, in conjunction with TV3, was also given around $419,000 by Te Mangai Paho, the Maori broadcasting funding agency. We talked to series producer Nicole Horan.
Q: Despite good ratings for the first series and a strong fan base, there were also many vocal detractors. What would you say in response to them about the new season?
The GC is an engaging and entertaining snapshot showing young Maori living their lives on the Gold Coast. Many people loved the first series and ratings were strong throughout, it was the highest rating show among Maori and Pacific Island audiences on TV3 during its on-air run. These young Kiwis have just as much right to have their stories told as anyone else. They are ambitious and entrepreneurial - they work hard and they play hard.
Q: Is there anything different about the second season, particularly given that Te Mangai Paho has stricter requirements for Maori language and cultural content?
This season was always going to be different. People grow and priorities change [and] the cast of The GC are no different. They are still chasing their dreams, but some of their goals have changed. I think viewers will be surprised by the path some of the cast members have taken, personally, culturally and professionally. The level of te reo Maori has significantly grown this season and viewers will see an increase as the series goes on. I'm looking forward to hearing te reo on mainstream television, in a primetime slot.
Q: What is it about the lives of these 10 people that makes for good reality TV?
The best thing about these guys is that they are real people. They are unapologetically themselves and they work hard to make their families proud. If that isn't the epitome of a Kiwi, then I don't know what is!
Who: Tame Noema and Rosie Arkle
What: Second season of local reality show The GC
Where and when: Mondays, 8pm, TV3
- TimeOut
