Timaru castle perfect location for The Traitors, host says

Saturday, 30 May 2026

Madeline Sami still fondly remembers the vintage T-bar sandals she bought in Timaru sometime in the 2000s.

Found at an opshop while in town, she “wore the crap out of’’ the shoes which had been made in Christchurch and were sold in their original box.

The Kiwi actress and comedian returned to Timaru late last year to host the third season of New Zealand reality murder-mystery television show The Traitors which was shot at Claremont Castle on Mt Horrible Rd.

The new series will begin on Three and ThreeNow on Sunday evening and Sami said it had been an honour to host it in Timaru.

“You’re in for a real ripper of a season,’’ Sami said.

The Traitors, filmed at Castle Claremont near Timaru, and hosted by Kiwi comedian and actress Madeleine Sami starts on Sky Free's Three and ThreeNow on Sunday evening.

“The contestants are so brave, you’re definitely going to have some favourites in there, there’s some really fun personalities and the challenges are crazy.

“It will really surprise you in all sorts of fun ways.’’

Twenty-one contestants began the series, working as a team to complete a series of dramatic and challenging missions to earn money for the prize pot.

Sami was a huge fan of The Traitors and said she felt like she had won a competition when told she would host the latest series.

“I am genuinely a big fan of this show… I got to be in one of the best reality shows out there,’’ she said.

It was the second consecutive season the Kiwi series had been shot at the castle, with the Australian version also shot there last year.

Sami spent about two weeks filming the series describing the days as long but a lot of fun.

While some of the crew stayed at the castle, she stayed in Timaru and was impressed by the town and its old buildings.

The Traitors host actress Madeleine Sami enjoyed her time in Timaru and hoped to return.

“My impression of Timaru is that it is so beautiful,’’ she said.

“That drive that goes from the city out to Castle Claremont and you’re just sort of surrounded by beautiful mountains and the sea as well, and I’m just like ‘everyone should move here’.’’

She was also very fond of the castle itself and said the show’s art department did a great job of kitting it out for the series.

“It was perfect for The Traitors and maybe a little haunted as well.’’

Sami said she would happily come back to host another series, and perhaps have more of a chance to look for some more opshop shoes.

Castle Claremont where The Traitors New Zealand was shot late last year. The show begins on Sunday evening.

She also liked the idea of purchasing an old Timaru building, renovating it and opening a bar there.

But for now, she was off to Melbourne to take part in a play.

The executive producer of the series also loved filming in South Canterbury, describing as “like capturing lightning in a bottle, it’s rare and special’’.

The Traitors New Zealand with host Madeleine Sami was filmed in Timaru.

South Pacific Pictures (SPP) managing director Andrew Szusterman told The Timaru Herald last October, as filming wrapped on the third series, that “the incredible locations, along with the strong relationships we’ve built with the Timaru District Council and Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua (Ngāi Tahu), have made producing such a demanding show remarkably smooth’’.

“We love it here and plan to keep filming both The Traitors Australia and The Traitors New Zealand in this region for as long as we’re welcome,’’ he said.

“We love making this gripping and addictive format and now we’ve established The Traitors Southern Hemisphere hub, our goal is to continue making multiple versions of the show for years to come.”

Szusterman said the New Zealand production industry benefited immensely when The Traitors was shot on location in New Zealand.

“It’s a joy to witness our world class production team back in action.”

The Traitors, which premiered in the Netherlands in 2021, had seen more than 30 adaptations made.