From her days in squash advocating for equality in the sport to speaking out against racism as New Zealand’s race relations commissioner, Dame Susan Devoy has never shied away from making her opinions known. It’s the same attitude she has carried with her since arriving as an intruder on Celebrity Treasure Island.
But watching those sometimes blunt observations back on TV has been confronting for the former world champion.
“I’ve found it really hard – it’s a bit cringeworthy,” admits Susan. “I know I’m opinionated, and I shoot from the hip, but I didn’t realise I was quite that direct.”
That forthrightness has seen Susan end up in a number of conflicts with her teammates, most notably with former Shortland Street star Lynette Forday. Susan says it was a no-brainer that after their many verbal spats, they would end up battling it out in the elimination arena.
Though she triumphed over Lynette, Susan didn’t relish the moment as it meant one more worthy charity missed out on the opportunity to win money.
“Winning money for our charities is ultimately why we’re there,” she explains. “We were polar opposites. She wound me up and I probably did the same to her, but at the end of the day, we mended our bridges.”
While she takes no prisoners when it comes to her opinions, taking part in the show meant Susan was forced to confront her lifelong fear of the ocean.
When she was 13, she was on a summer holiday with her family at Maketu Beach, in the Bay of Plenty, when she almost drowned while swimming in the surf. “I never got over it,” she tells.
Fifteen years ago, she decided to give swimming another go and started taking lessons. But, a couple of classes in, her instructor noticed a suspicious mole on Susan’s back.
A trip to the dermatologist confirmed it was melanoma which, thanks to the keen eye of her swimming teacher, was caught before it could spread. “The water nearly killed me and then it saved my life in some ways,” she muses.
After having the cancer cut out, her motivation to get back in the water disappeared. But when Susan accepted a place on Treasure Island, she knew she couldn’t let her fears stop her from being useful in the physical challenges.
“I went down to the local pool and clung onto the side and doggy paddled my way to the end,” she says with a grin. “Then my husband got me out in the harbour in Tauranga and we finally got into the big waves. I’m actually very proud of myself.”
After leaving her job as race relations commissioner in 2018, where she sometimes faced heavy criticism, the 58-year-old vowed she wouldn’t take on another role that put her in the public eye. The only thing that convinced her to do the reality show was the opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause.
This time, though, she was prepared to face whatever criticism was hurled her way.
“I’m at a stage in life where I’m very happy. I don’t care what people say about me. I’m not going to wake up and read the comments on social media.”
Eight weeks into the competition, Susan can’t believe she’s still in the running to win the $100,000 prize for her chosen charity, The Aunties, which provides emotional and practical resources for people healing from domestic violence.
When she first arrived in Northland to film the show, she thought she would enjoy a few days on the beautiful beaches before she was sent packing.
Her husband John Oakley, with whom she shares sons Julian, 29, Alex, 27, Josh, 26, and Jamie, 24, also thought she wouldn’t last long.
Susan and John with sons (from left) Alex, Josh, Jamie and Julian.
Though their work has forced them to live apart at times during their 37 years of marriage, John found it hard not being able to speak with Susan while she was away. So, as days turned into weeks and there was still no sign of his beloved wife, he started to worry.
“He got a bit concerned,” she laughs. “I think he thought I’d left the show and buggered off on holiday!
So, he sent the producer an email asking if I was still there. It’s the longest in our married life we haven’t been in touch.”
Now, as they watch the show together, Susan says he’s become CTI’s number-one fan.
Wedded bliss in 1986.
“John loves it – he’s quite obsessed,” she reveals.
“He’s never watched the show before, so he’s been binge-watching all the episodes. He finds it very amusing.”
