What New Zealand viewers really think of Married at First Sight Australia 2026

We’re three weeks into the latest season of Married at First Sight Australia and, although it’s the same promise every year, this season truly is the most explosive ever. Intense clashes between wives, accusations of bullying, walk-outs and off camera revelations – the four episodes each week are never short of drama.

If you haven’t been watching, we’re publishing James Weir’s recaps the morning after each episode screens (and, even if you are watching, they are still a must-read).

We’ve also been asking you for your hot takes and opinions on the season so far. Here’s what you’ve been saying.

Gia, one of this year's Mafs brides.

Ella:

Do Brook and Gia think they are The Real Housewives of Mafs? Pathetic behaviour, certainly an eye opener for their ‘husbands’. Should be asked to leave the show.

Brian:

I am of the opinion the [experts] set the couples up knowing full well they are not a match and will fight, which in itself makes for interesting but tedious viewing.

Mafs experts Mel Schilling, Alessandra Rampolla and John Aiken. Photo / Nine

Hayley:

No wonder Mel Schilling has said this is her last season, I would be super embarrassed to be a part of this s***-show, too.

I will not be watching this season again, unless I hear that Gia and Bec also leave, alongside toxic Brooke.

The pure nastiness, evilness and toxicity is unbelievable. What is more unbelievable is that Channel 9 thought it was appropriate to screen this travesty.

I was already struggling with Mel (married to Luke) being a stalker (having being stalked, this is NOT a joke like portrayed), then the “girls’ day” bullying to both Alissa and Stella from the three bullies, Bec, Brooke and Gia.

Then the dinner party. Disgusting. I feel very traumatised, in fact do you know if I can sue Channel 9 for trauma relating to my PTSD flare up? That’s how upset I am.

There is hope: Alissa and David, Stella and Filip.

It is no longer a show about love, last year’s edit for poor Jacqui was hard enough to watch, this time I refuse.

Thanks for listening to my opinion, it was quite cathartic.

Dianne:

I am shocked at the bullying going on, hope parents don’t let their children watch this programme. Where are the producers of this show, they should cut this out.

I watched this show for a laugh, but definitely not laughing now.

Gail:

I used to really enjoy watching Mafs when it first started, watched every episode.

But as the years have gone by, each year gets more and more tacky.

It worries me that young teenagers watch this programme and think this is how life is and should be. Girls and women having so much cosmetic surgery done on their faces and surgery on their bodies that young girls watching this programme think it’s normal.

What happened to the natural girl next door look, which most would agree is far more attractive?

Just seeing the shorts come up between intervals confirms that my decision not to watch is the right one.

Jean:

You asked for comments on this trainwreck of a show which we love because it’s so fake and good for a laugh and a p*** take.

Please don’t stop having James Weir’s reviews, they are just hilarious. They are more popular than the show.

These people wonder why they are single, really?

The only ones making anything from this trashy show are the dentists that supply everyone with new veneer fridge doors, oh, and the hairdressers that supply the hair extensions, and don’t forget the trashy “adult” shop!

Keep Weir’s review coming. I look forward to reading it.

If there is going to be a trashy NZ version, please employ him to review it. Just imagine.

Brook, left, gets a reality check from Mafs expert Mel Schilling.

Julia:

I think the show should be renamed Lord of the Flies.

Or at least a reinterpretation of Lord of the Flies should be based on Married at First Sight.

Ann:

I enjoy it but there are so many lies and people who should never have been together.

Kay:

What a ridiculous programme. I cannot believe any right-minded self-respecting person would want to take part in it. It is okay as a comedy. I watched some of it out of curiosity, what a waste of time.

Cathie:

Surely this programme is completely rigged.

Grown women acting and speaking like childish misbehaving teens. It was an embarrassment to watch.

This latest series seems to concentrate on how soon you get to have sex and how much more you get than the next couple.

I’ve made allowances for the nonsense of this programme up till now … now it’s too overwhelmingly ridiculous.

Won’t be watching ever again.

Brook and Stella go head to head.

Cristine:

Stella – a boss Queen, what can I say? Legit proud of how she handled herself and in situations.

Jan:

Just too hard to watch. Truly vile.

Julie:

This episode was disgusting. Very difficult to watch. Didn’t think people could be so feral knowing it will be on TV. The two main protagonists should be removed from the show. Poor Bec was sucked in, girl doesn’t have confidence to be herself.

Bec, one of the 2026 Mafs brides.

Helen:

Shame on producers and presenters for allowing this programme to sink so low. Very concerning that this content is at prime time viewing where vulnerable teenagers may be influenced to think this behaviour of low/no morals nor personal pride by the participants is the norm.

Mafs' sexpert Alessandra.

Stephen:

It used to be fun, even a year or so ago. Now their desperation for polarising characters, continuing drama and conflicts is borderline sickening.

The show has quite obviously jumped the shark – the exchange over Alessandra’s earpiece is proof. Banned in our house, and we’re not coming back.

Chris:

I thought Brook’s behaviour was absolutely disgusting. That night, she showed her true colours and personality. She should be ashamed and embarrassed about how she acted and how she treated the other brides.

We saw glimpses of it in previous episodes but she put her true self on display that night.

She’s a rotten to the core, high school bully. I’m surprised more of the grooms didn’t say anything to her or to the room about her behaviour. I also feel her accusations of other brides having fake relationships and only being there to further their social media platforms or businesses, was a clear projection of her own intentions.

Just to add to this, we also get to see how terrible of a person Gia is.

If I was paired with either of these brides, I would leave the experiment due to their disgusting, appalling, childish, petty, bullying behaviour.