MKR NZ reveals contestant line up

My Kitchen Rules NZ is heading back to our screens, bringing with it the country's newest reality recruits, unveiled in a new promo launched last night.

The series is set to move to TV2 this year, after struggling to pull in viewers on TV One last year.

Chefs Ben Bayly and Gareth Stewart will return as head judges, joined by a panel of guests, including Nadia Lim, Grace Ramirez, Robert Oliver and new recruit, MKR Australia's Liz Egan.

So just who will be trying to impress them with their culinary prowess?

Five teams will face off in the first round of instant restaurants, hailing from across New Zealand.

We've taken a look at their profiles and rank their chances.

5. Travis and Jeremy - Otago

We're picking Travis and Jeremy to be the jokers in this pack - and not just because they hail from Otago. Travis admits to eating cat biscuits, while Jeremy's last supper would be mountain goat balls. He also considers a smoothie to be the ultimate summer meal. Que!?

4. Ruth and Cheryl - Canterbury

Ruth and Cheryl are a mother-daughter combo from Canterbury but we're not sold on their local food knowledge. Particularly as Ruth reckons "green eggs and ham" are New Zealand's most iconic dish. Cheryl also touts her crunchy chicken casserole as her most impressive dish but if there's one thing we've learned from a decade of cooking competition telly, it's that casseroles NEVER impress. I would not like them here or there. I would not like them anywhere.

3. Monique and Henry - Hawkes Bay

They've been married for 20 years but we're not sure how in sync this couple is. Monique would choose a 10-course degustation for her last supper, while hubby Henry would opt for a humble roast chook. Likewise, Monique reckons her most impressive dish is pepper pork belly followed by vanilla creme brulee, while Henry's is steak. Opposites attract but will their divergent tastes work against them?

2. Laurence and Paul - Taranaki

Sports fans may recognise former Hurricanes player Laurence from the footy field but now he's keen to show off his handiwork in the kitchen. Laurence reckons he's a whiz with a frying pan, while Paul rates his own knife skills. Both picked homegrown seafood as their most legendary dish - paua ravioli for Laurence and whitebait fritters for Paul - which is a perennial favourite with the judges. As long as they "respect the produce" of course.

1. Hannah and Cathy - Auckland

Hannah and Cathy are workmates but not at your standard inner-city office. They work at the Spring Hill correction facility. That's right, prison. If anyone's got the steely determination needed to make the grand final, surely it's these two. Hannah also lays claim to a mean chocolate gateau, while Cathy claims to be a whiz with homemade pasta. Both staples of any reality cook-off.

- nzherald.co.nz