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Gary Barlow heads to New Zealand with Jason Manford for travel programme
Take That star Gary Barlow teams up with comedian Jason Manford for a six-part ITV series, Gary Barlow's Food and Wine Tour: New Zealand, airing Sunday August 30. The pair journey across the country sampling food and wine, meeting local producers, and experiencing Maori culture, as Barlow shares his passion for wine and the 'genuine spirit of hospitality' he found.
Take That star Gary Barlow is trading stadiums for vineyards in a new six-part ITV series, Gary Barlow’s Food and Wine Tour: New Zealand, alongside comedian Jason Manford. The show, airing Sunday August 30, follows the pair as they travel across New Zealand, meeting local producers, chefs, winemakers and communities while sampling the country’s food and wine.
A Journey Through New Zealand
Barlow and Manford’s itinerary takes them from Auckland to Queenstown, Central Otago, the Marlborough Sounds and Hawke’s Bay, with a stop in Blenheim according to The Daily Star. Their adventures include receiving a ceremonial Māori welcome in Auckland, visiting a sacred Māori site at dawn, zip-lining through native forest, tandem cycling through vineyards, and dolphin spotting on the Coastal Pacific railway.
In Auckland, Barlow joins acclaimed chef Ben Bayly at his MICHELIN-starred restaurant Ahi, sampling contemporary New Zealand cuisine. On Waiheke Island, he attempts to harvest olives and tastes wine from boutique vineyard Man O War, followed by a barbecue where Bayly serves freshly caught produce. The trip also includes a vintage car tour of Napier’s Art Deco architecture, a walking trail in Central Otago, and a final meal at Craggy Range winery at the foot of Te Mata Peak.
The Appeal of New Zealand
Barlow, 55, who rose to fame in the 1990s as the main songwriter and lead vocalist of Take That, said what stood out about New Zealand’s food and wine was "the story behind every experience." He told the Press Association: "Every meal, every glass of wine, and every ingredient had some kind of connection with the people, place and the natural environment. I experienced first-hand how New Zealand’s pure flavours are shaped by a deep respect for the land and a genuine spirit of hospitality."
He added: "In the world of wine, New Zealand is right up there with some of the best vineyards in the world. The difference between the North and South Island and the East and West Coast is just unbelievable and so much is packed into these two islands."
Barlow, who has presented several food and travel programmes in recent years, explained his passion for wine: "First and foremost, these shows for me are about the wine, and the food is obviously a pairing with that. Anything that’s homegrown is what attracts me. I guess my attraction with wine is the same reason I’m into music. Wine is like a passion."
He said vineyard workers "are there because they love it. It’s a passion. It’s the way that music has been for me – that’s what’s always drawn me to wine." Barlow chose Manford as his travel companion because Manford "knew nothing about wine," allowing him to learn alongside the audience.
Manford’s Perspective
Manford, 45, described the experience as "one of the biggest privileges of my life," adding: "I’ve never seen such an incredible country, the scenery, the people, the food and of course discovering wine with Gary and a host of experts."
He said: "Me and Gary have been mates for years but to have so much time together talking, laughing, learning and getting to know each other away from the pressures of work and life was a real treat. I came back with some fantastic memories and I cannot wait to take my own family back to New Zealand."
Barlow echoed the sentiment, describing the two-week filming experience as "really sweet" and "very special," and noting that New Zealand is one of his favourite places.
Background and Future Plans
This series is the third instalment of Barlow’s global food and wine travels, following Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa in 2024 and Gary Barlow’s Food And Wine Tour: Australia last year. Take That, which Barlow co-founded with Robbie Williams, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Jason Orange, achieved 12 UK number one singles, nine UK number one albums and eight Brit Awards before splitting in 1996 and reuniting in 2005. Barlow also served as a judge on ITV’s The X Factor from 2011 to 2013.
Looking ahead, Barlow said he would love to travel to Chile next for wine, having been on tour there at the end of the 1990s.
The series arrives as New Zealand joins the MICHELIN Guide, and is produced in association with Tourism New Zealand and Great Rail Journeys. René de Monchy at 100% Pure New Zealand said Barlow’s journey gives viewers a chance to see the country through its world-class produce and wine, warm hospitality, rich cultural connections and unforgettable natural settings.
Gary Barlow’s Food and Wine Tour: New Zealand airs Sunday August 30 on ITV.
How each outlet told it
The daily Star
Framing: Uses 'ditches Take That' to create a sensational hook, highlighting the contrast with his pop career and the alcohol-infused adventure — Informal and playful, using words like 'boozy adventure' and 'hilariously attempts', and including a promotional angle
Facts Included:
Gary Barlow explores New Zealand with Jason Manford in a new six-part ITV series
Visit to Auckland, Queenstown, Central Otago, Blenheim, Marlborough Sounds and Hawke's Bay
Description of the show's opening scenes and Barlow's accent
Third instalment of his food and wine travels, following South Africa and Australia
Activities: tandem cycling, visiting sacred Maori site at dawn, zip-lining, barbecue on Waiheke Island, vintage car tour in Napier, dolphin spotting, visit to Te Mata Peak and Craggy Range winery
Specifics on Auckland: pōwhiri welcome, meeting chef Ben Bayly at Ahi restaurant
Quotes from Barlow and Manford included
Mentions New Zealand joining the MICHELIN Guide
Details on 21-day Grand Tour of New Zealand by rail with Great Rail Journeys, costing £6799 per person
Framing: Highlights the new travel programme with Gary Barlow and Jason Manford, focusing on the adventure aspect, but leaves out the wine passion angle and other specific details of the trip — Promotional and enthusiastic, supported by quotes about 'epic adventure' and Barlow's descriptions of 'unbelievable' island differences
Facts Included:
Gary Barlow, 55, stars in Gary Barlow’s Food And Wine Tour: New Zealand with Jason Manford
The show visits locations including Auckland, Waiheke Island, Queenstown, Central Otago, Marlborough Sounds and Hawke’s Bay
Quotes from Barlow about New Zealand's food and wine connecting people, place and natural environment
Manford called it 'one of the biggest privileges of my life'
Activities include zip-lining, tandem cycling, vintage car tour in Napier, dolphin spotting on Coastal Pacific railway
Previous shows: South Africa 2024 and Australia last year
Barlow's Take That background: 12 UK number one singles, nine UK number one albums, eight Brit Awards
Framing: Focuses on Barlow's personal passion for wine as comparable to music, emphasizing his enthusiasm for the subject — Appreciative and enthusiastic, quoting Barlow's 'genuine spirit of hospitality' and 'really lovely trip'
Facts Included:
Gary Barlow, 55, said wine makes him feel as 'passionate' as music does
The singer presented the new show with Jason Manford
Quote from Barlow: 'Anything that’s homegrown is what attracts me' and comparing wine making to music passion
Barlow chose Manford because he knew 'nothing about wine'
The pair knew each other for about 15 years
Two-week filming experience described as 'really sweet' and 'very special'
Locations visited include Auckland, Waiheke Island, Queenstown, Central Otago, Marlborough Sounds, Hawke's Bay
Activities like zip-lining, tandem cycling, Maori traditions
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ClaimGary Barlow said what stood out about New Zealand’s food and wine was the story behind every experience, with every meal, glass of wine and ingredient connected to people, place and the natural environment.
ClaimGary Barlow said the difference between New Zealand’s North and South Island and the East and West Coast is unbelievable and that so much is packed into the two islands.
ClaimJason Manford said he had never seen such an incredible country, citing the scenery, people, food and discovering wine with Gary Barlow and experts.
ClaimJason Manford said he and Gary Barlow have been mates for years and that having so much time together talking, laughing, learning and getting to know each other away from work pressures was a real treat.
ClaimGary Barlow rose to fame in the 1990s as the main songwriter and lead vocalist of Take That, alongside Robbie Williams, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Jason Orange.
ClaimRené de Monchy at 100% Pure New Zealand said Gary Barlow’s journey gives viewers a chance to see the country through its world-class produce and wine, warm hospitality, rich cultural connections and unforgettable natural settings.