Tauranga's Hemana family wins $25,000 in reality TV series XVenture Family Challenge

Tauranga's Hemana family took out the final of the XVenture Family Challenge. Photo/Supplied

Tauranga's Hemana family has taken out the final of the XVenture Family Challenge TV series, winning not only an "extraordinary experience" but $25,000 as well.

The series, set up in Russell in the Bay of Islands, involved families competing in mental and physical challenges and working together as a team.

Hosted by Simon Barnett, 16 families battled it out over four heats with eight going through to the semifinals and four competing in the final, which screened last Sunday.

Team Hemana - made up of Teejay (dad), Carla (mum), Tai (son) and Maia (daughter) - were crowned the first winners of the series, participating in nine unique and exciting challenges testing every aspect of being a team such as leadership, cohesion, communication, trust and commitment. Over the course of seven episodes they came out on top against 15 other New Zealand families.

Carla Hemana said taking part in the challenge was not about winning, but having an "extraordinary" experience to remember with their children, especially with their 16-year-old son who would likely leave home in a couple of years.

"It was an experience for our family," Hemana said.

They spent 10 days in Russell and she said the whole experience was fun and winning was the amazing icing on the cake.

Their prize was $25,000, which Hemana said would be used to cover Tai's boarding costs at Mt Albert Grammar in Auckland.

Tai's dream is to become a hip hop dancer.

The competition may be over but this Sunday, the Hemana family will take on the All Stars in an episode for charity.

Tauranga's Hemana family, right, will take on the All Stars, left, on the show this weekend. Photo/Supplied

Carla Hemana said at the end of the challenge a charity would get a funding boost of $10,000 but could not reveal the winning team.

She said a second series was going ahead and encouraged people to apply and have a go. She said her 12-year-old daughter described being part of the show as one of the best experiences of her life.

"We're great advocates of putting yourself out there."

She said many people overthink a situation, or think something is too hard and do not follow through with something they want.

"It's the difference of having an ordinary or extraordinary life."

"It's absolutely worth it."

Watch Team Hemana:
You can watch Team Hemana one final time on Sunday as they take on the All Stars in an episode for charity.
They compete against sevens champion Tyla Nathan-Wong, Silver Fern Bailey Mes, World water ski champion Leanne Campbell and The Edge broadcaster Clint Randell. The show will screen at 5.30pm on THREE.