Catch him if you can: Andy Ellis
Moving Houses host and former All Black Andy Ellis doesn’t like to sit still. Metropol Deputy Editor Nina Tucker discovers what he does instead.
Andy Ellis’ life is like chaos in a wonderful way. Fresh from a stint in Bali at an All Blacks High Performance Lab, and thrilled to be taking off for another three days to his son’s school camp, I welcomed his energy on a brisk morning. Bubbly and energetic, Andy is happy to be here, there, and everywhere.
If you watched the Crusaders take on the Blues at Eden Park in mid-March, you will have seen and heard Andy on pre-game commentary – and don’t forget his appearance at the Black Clash in January. In between this, he’s the presenter of television show Moving Houses, and is on a mission to strengthen the significance of being Kiwi with local business owners and his online domain Dot Kiwi.
So, what does Andy do? Well, he wears many hats. Why?
“I’ll always say yes and give new things a crack,” Andy explains. “I quite like being outside of my comfort zone. I don’t at the time, but I always feel great afterwards.” Life on the rugby field meant Andy was always doing things that scared him. “When I commit, I’m in. I’m just in on a few things,” he smiles. Sitting still doesn’t exist within Andy’s vocabulary. “I like to be busy.” To relax, he will cook dinner or exercise. “Maybe, something is wrong with me,” he laughs.
In a Black Clash promotion, Andy said Christchurch is the greatest city in the country. “It is,” he confirms. “Look at this place. Full of life.” A big foodie, Andy often finds himself enjoying one of the many eateries with his family – only once they determine a winner out of the countless hotspots.
Of all the hats he wears, Andy’s favourite is the one called dad. Watching his children grow up alongside wife Emma is impossible to whittle into words. He lives to see them do what they love. “I try to book in things that I don’t want to miss, like school camp.” Daughter Scarlett, 15, loves rowing, netball, and is a keen singer, while his son Arthur enjoys rugby, cricket and playing the drums. “It’s cool to see them really committed. Scarlett doesn’t even make her bed at home but she won’t miss a rowing session.”
ANDY ON THE MOVE
Andy’s entry to television presenting was intense, despite his season earning a top rating. He arrived to shoot his first scene and tell the story of a beautiful couple moving to Mangawhai in front of a breathtaking backdrop. “I had this script that I hadn’t read. The sun was setting. We only had a certain amount of time.” Andy’s tried and tested ‘wing it’ approach wasn’t going to cut the Moving Houses mustard. “At 60 takes, I still hadn’t got it.” He laughs, “My palms were sweaty, my heart was racing. I could see them wondering ‘why did we get this guy?’” Fast, Andy flips from nervous reminiscence to his signature optimism. “I hadn’t felt that feeling since playing rugby. It was a thrill.” At the time, he returned to his rugby routine to focus and find calm. Success at last – after another 20 takes.
“I apologised and shouted them dinner.”
The show, which has six more episodes to come this season, surrounds Andy with beautifully unique homes, all of which put his landscape architecture degree to good use. It’s fuel too for the forever home he’s building in Canterbury, with help from Danny Komo, his co-creator on the now seven-year-old book Kiwi Backyard.
Entering television celebrity status saw audiences connect with Andy in ways they never could through his previous on-screen pursuits. Encounters in the grocery store switched from humble nods and handshakes to Moving Houses enthusiasts manoeuvering past his trolley and joking with him. “Look out, it’s harder to get around me than it is a truck,” a lady laughed with him in the aisle. Andy’s impersonation of such encounters are warm and reflective of the way these connections make him feel. “They know me more after watching the show as opposed to watching me play rugby. It’s like I’m in their lounge on a Sunday night.”
KIWI SPIRIT
Harnessing the value of Kiwis in business, Andy built the Dot Kiwi domain to empower individuals to carve out their online presence with a New Zealand identity. He references a case study from yoghurt company The Collective’s launch into the United Kingdom on the trust the .kiwi domain offers. Marketing director Helen Costello summarises the strength in leaning into local: “A .kiwi domain has enabled us to literally live and breathe our values. We are a proudly outspoken New Zealand brand that does things our own way, and .kiwi represents that.” With operations manager Hannah Duder, Andy works to give Kiwi businesses more meaning online.
RUGBY & THE ROAD AHEAD
What Andy has achieved since hanging up his rugby boots makes that period of his life and career feel so far away. Still, he holds the worldwide rugby network of people close. “The thing I take away from rugby is the friendships.”
What’s not forgotten are the losses. “You put so much effort in. You take those learnings forward, but you’re always with a group of mates.” He recounts many memorable achievements – the 2011 Rugby World Cup triumph being one – yet brings it all back to the people he held trophies over his head with. Andy hints other television opportunities have presented themselves following his host debut, so whether on screen, through sport, or at the hottest local eatery, keep an eye out.
FIND ANDY at The Welder, his favourite foodie scene right now
WATCH ANDY on TVNZ’s Moving Houses
EAT LIKE ANDY at Brigittes for coffee and brunch, before heading to Bar Yoku or Sasuke for Japanese cuisine.
