‘And that’s on MMT’: $110k to provide clean water for Pacific children

“This is not for just me, this is for my charity. This is bigger than me.”

Those were the words of a determined, yet fatigued, JP Foliaki moments before he struck gold in this season’s Celebrity Treasure Island (CTI).

The final challenge had Foliaki spend three hours digging in the sand against All Blacks legend Christian Cullen and actor James Rolleston.

“James stops digging, Cully stops digging, and for a moment I’m just staring at it. I don’t even know what to say. I just feel this sense of overwhelming gratitude take over me,” he says during the episode.

The final face-off between Christian "Cully" Cullen, JP Foliaki, and James Rolleston. Photo/TVNZ

“I am proud of myself. It's a lot harder than people at home would even fathom, but I’m glad that I’m doing it for a bigger purpose and something more than just myself.

“This one’s for South Auckland, Tongans, Sāmoans, Polys, all of us.”

Foliaki, a proud Tongan South Aucklander, is the first Pacific person to win the game, and speaking on NiuFM’s The Morning Shack, he says the victory is shared with the communities he represents.

“It’s one thing to be able to give back to your hood but then to be able to give back to your people out there in the Pacific,” his voice breaking.

“I’m getting emotional now, but yeah just really grateful.”

During the course of the show, Foliaki banked $10,000 for his charity ChildFund Water Run, an initiative that aims to bring safe, clean drinking water to children in the Pacific.

In winning the show’s longest-ever treasure hunt, Foliaki nabbed a total of $110,000 for the cause.

“When I won the first 5k for the charity, that allowed 21 families to have access to a resource that cleans water just for them to be able to drink.

“So with 110k man, they’re going to be able to do so much.”

Foliaki hosted a grand finale watch party with friends, family, CTI 2024 season alumni Susan Paul, Millen Baird, Mea Motu, and a reunion of the “FOBalinas” Gaby Solomona and Bubbah in Kingsland on Wednesday night.

They also celebrated the champ’s 30th birthday.

In one of the last scenes of the show, Foliaki is on his knees, eyes watering, and he breaks into the Tongan hymn, Teu hiki a hoku le'o.

“I did it, I can’t believe I did it. Thank you, God.

“I can’t wait to share this with ChildFund and the Water Run initiative. Our people really need this. It’s gonna make a difference in ways I can’t even describe.

“And that’s on MMT!”