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Home / Entertainment

The Block's mystery bidder explains himself

NZ Herald
18 Sep, 2017 03:22 AM2 mins to read

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A last minute plot twist brought contestants to tears on The Block NZ. Video/Three

An Auckland-based actor who found himself at the centre of a social media storm today has spoken out, explaining just why he was at The Block auction yesterday.

Matthew Haines sparked a flurry of interest after he opened bidding on one of The Block homes last night and was shown talking on his phone throughout the night.

In a statement to the Herald, Haines confirmed he was an actor but was not there in a professional capacity.

"I am genuinely surprised by all the interest I'm getting," he wrote. "I was simply there as a member of the public bidding on behalf of some friends that live out of town."

The finale of Three's reality show made for agonising viewing as buyers took a conservative approach to the auctions, which struggled to meet the reserves.

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The winners, Andy and Nate, failed to sell their home at first, until a second auction at the end of the night saw bids reach $1,250,000, netting them a $31,000 profit.

That put them past Stace and Yanita, who thought they'd won the show's $100,000 prize with their $20,000 profit.

Winning figures from the past six seasons of The Block.
Winning figures from the past six seasons of The Block.

A series of memes quickly spread featuring Haines on his phone, with some likening his stern look to hitman Bryan Mills from Liam Neeson's hit action film series Taken.

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I have a certain set of skills, I will find you...etc #theblocknz pic.twitter.com/GmT3GKKAyU

— Rob Brown (@RobBrownfrap) September 17, 2017

But I will look for you, I will find you, and I won't buy you. #TheBlockNZ pic.twitter.com/PxQHez1ms6

— Matt (@MattyJared) September 17, 2017

On the phone to the three producers telling them to scrap plans for the next season #TheBlockNZ pic.twitter.com/QnqJltyDEy

— dana šŸ’«šŸ¾ (@conversesliam) September 17, 2017

Earlier, Mediaworks told the Herald the man was registered and had as much right to be there as anyone else in the room.

"Anyone who registered to be in the room to bid did so with Ray White and he's as much of a mystery bidder as anyone else who was there," said a spokesperson.

Read more:

• Andy and Nate: 'We haven't won enough'

Discover more

Entertainment

Block Shock: Surprise second auction nets win

17 Sep 09:19 AM
Entertainment

Viewers slam The Block's surprise twist

17 Sep 06:34 PM
Business

The Block NZ sale prices 'reflect market'

17 Sep 08:31 PM
Entertainment

Mark Richardson: 'We are not a charity, we're a reality TV show'

17 Sep 09:47 PM

• Surprise second auction nets win for Andy and Nate

• Social media lashes out at two attempts to sell winning Block house

• Former Block star fires up: 'I would be gutted'

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    Share this article

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