Colin Mathura-Jeffree: From International Runways to New Zealand Television

Introduction

Colin Mathura-Jeffree is a New Zealand model, television presenter, actor and public spokesperson. He is best known for appearing as a judge and runway mentor on New Zealand’s Next Top Model and for presenting New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker.

Before becoming a familiar television personality, Colin built an international modelling career in Europe, Singapore and India. His work included assignments connected with major fashion names such as Versace and Jean Paul Gaultier. He later moved into acting, reality television, entertainment presenting and charity advocacy.

As of July 2026, Colin remains a publicly active New Zealand media figure. Alzheimers New Zealand also continues to list him as an Ambassador for Dementia.

Colin Mathura-Jeffree Quick Facts

Detail	Verified information
Full name	Colin Mathura-Jeffree
Nationality	New Zealander
Profession	Model, television presenter, actor and spokesperson
Age	Reported as 53 in March 2026
Best known for	New Zealand’s Next Top Model and New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker
International modelling markets	Europe, Singapore and India
Major acting work	Xena: Warrior Princess, Love Has No Language, Stars in Her Eyes and My Life Is Murder
Reality television	Dancing with the Stars NZ and The Traitors NZ
Charity role	Ambassador for Dementia with Alzheimers New Zealand

New Zealand Woman’s Weekly described Colin as 53 in an interview published on 12 March 2026. NZ On Screen confirms his main modelling, acting and television credits.

Who Is Colin Mathura-Jeffree?

Colin Mathura-Jeffree is a multi-skilled New Zealand entertainer who has worked across fashion, television, film and public campaigns.

Many viewers first discovered him through New Zealand’s Next Top Model. He appeared alongside Sara Tetro and photographer Chris Sisarich, helping to judge contestants and teach them about runway modelling.

His screen personality was confident, colourful and direct. However, his knowledge did not come only from television. He had already spent years working inside international fashion markets before joining the programme.

This real industry experience helped him explain how models walk, present clothing, respond to photographers and behave during professional assignments.

How His Modelling Career Began

Colin has said that he was discovered for modelling while attending the University of Auckland. A March 2026 interview reported that he was scouted on his first day at the university.

Modelling soon took him outside New Zealand. He worked in Europe, Singapore and India and became especially connected with the Indian fashion industry.

NZ On Screen credits him with modelling work involving Versace and Jean Paul Gaultier. These international assignments gave him experience with different designers, photographers, cultures and fashion markets.

India became an important part of his professional story. He lived and worked there for several years and developed lasting links with people in fashion, entertainment and travel.

Unlike many television personalities who discuss fashion from the outside, Colin had experienced castings, runway shows, commercial shoots and the demands placed on professional models.

His Family Connection to Fashion

Fashion was not completely unfamiliar to Colin during his early years.

NZ On Screen reports that his mother had also worked as a model. This gave him a family connection to the industry before he developed his own international career.

His later success was still built through professional travel and work. He had to enter new markets, build relationships and learn how the fashion business operated in different countries.

Television Breakthrough

Colin’s biggest television breakthrough came through New Zealand’s Next Top Model.

The programme followed young contestants as they completed photoshoots, runway challenges and fashion assignments. Colin served as both a judge and a mentor during the programme’s three-season run from 2009 to 2011.

His role was larger than simply deciding who should leave the competition. He helped contestants understand runway movement, confidence, presentation and the professional expectations of modelling.

The programme made him one of New Zealand’s most recognisable fashion personalities.

Readers interested in other people who built varied careers in New Zealand broadcasting can also explore Clarke Gayford’s New Zealand media journey.

New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker

Colin also became widely known as a presenter of New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker.

The programme placed home bakers in a competitive environment where they completed different food challenges. Although baking was very different from modelling, Colin’s lively presentation style helped give the programme its own identity.

During this period, he was working on two major television formats: a fashion competition and a baking competition.

In his 2026 interview, Colin recalled that the busy schedule created heavy professional pressure. He said that requests were arriving from television networks, agents and public events, leaving him with little time away from work.

Guest Appearance on America’s Next Top Model

Colin also appeared as a guest judge on America’s Next Top Model when the programme filmed episodes in New Zealand.

The appearance connected him with the international version of the format and introduced him to its creator and presenter, Tyra Banks.

Colin later said that Banks advised him to protect his own time because the entertainment business could continue demanding more work while a person remained popular.

He remembered the advice because he was then balancing major television programmes, modelling commitments and public appearances.

Acting Career

Colin’s work has not been limited to presenting and reality television.

Xena: Warrior Princess

He appeared in Xena: Warrior Princess during the late 1990s. He played Shakti in the episode “Between the Lines.”

Colin later explained that seeing a friend perform on Xena encouraged him to consider acting. Several months later, he was working on the programme himself.

Love Has No Language

In 2008, he appeared in Love Has No Language, a romantic film connecting New Zealand and India.

The project was a natural match for someone whose professional life already had strong links with both countries. NZ On Screen includes the film among his important acting credits.

Stars in Her Eyes

In 2016, Colin played Sanj in the romantic comedy Stars in Her Eyes.

The character was presented as a former New Zealand cricket star and the brother of the film’s central character. The role allowed Colin to use his screen presence in a scripted comedy rather than as a presenter or reality-television personality.

My Life Is Murder

Colin also received a screen credit as Haj X in the television mystery series My Life Is Murder.

His different acting credits show that he has moved between fantasy television, romantic films, comedy and crime entertainment.

Dancing with the Stars NZ

In 2015, Colin joined the celebrity cast of Dancing with the Stars New Zealand.

He was partnered with professional dancer Kristie Williams. The competition required him to learn and perform ballroom routines in front of judges and a national television audience.

Although his modelling background gave him experience with movement and live audiences, competitive dancing required a different set of skills.

NZ On Screen includes the programme as an important part of his television career.

The Great NZ Dance Masala

Colin later presented The Great NZ Dance Masala in 2018.

The programme celebrated dance and performance, including styles connected with Indian cinema and South Asian culture.

The role connected several parts of his career: his television experience, his long relationship with India and his ability to present live entertainment.

The Traitors NZ

A new group of viewers discovered Colin when he competed in the first season of The Traitors NZ in 2023.

The reality programme placed well-known New Zealanders and members of the public inside a social strategy game. Contestants had to complete challenges while trying to identify the hidden “Traitors” among them.

Colin became one of the season’s memorable personalities and reached the final episode. His appearance showed that he could remain entertaining in a modern reality format many years after New Zealand’s Next Top Model.

For another example of a New Zealand entertainer working across television, radio, comedy and live performance, read about Hayley Sproull’s television and radio career.

His Views on New Zealand’s Next Top Model

In March 2026, Colin discussed New Zealand’s Next Top Model after international criticism brought renewed attention to the wider Top Model franchise.

He accepted that some parts of the programme reflected older television and fashion standards. He also said that certain comments about contestants’ food choices now made him uncomfortable.

However, Colin argued that the New Zealand production team tried to look after contestants more carefully than some situations reported about the American programme.

He recalled stopping filming while he spoke to contestants about bullying. According to Colin, the conversation was kept away from cameras because it concerned the wellbeing of a young participant.

He also said that reality programmes should have strong duty-of-care systems, including access to psychological support. These comments represented his personal reflections on how television production should continue to improve.

Dementia Advocacy

One of Colin’s most important public roles is his work with Alzheimers New Zealand.

The organisation currently lists him as an Ambassador for Dementia. Its ambassadors help improve public understanding of dementia mate wareware and the effect it can have on individuals and families.

Colin’s involvement has a personal reason. His grandmother Eileen lived with dementia before her death in 1998.

He has spoken about the confusion and pressure families can experience when they do not fully understand the condition. His work encourages people to share knowledge, seek help and treat affected families with care.

The Alzheimers New Zealand ambassador page confirms his continuing role with the organisation.

What Makes His Career Different?

Colin Mathura-Jeffree’s career is unusual because it crosses several industries and countries.

He did not become known through only one television programme. His professional journey includes:

• International runway and fashion work
• New Zealand reality television
• Entertainment presenting
• Film and television acting
• Dance competitions
• Travel and cultural projects
• Charity and public-awareness campaigns

His years in India and other international fashion markets also gave him a wider professional background than viewers may see from his television appearances alone.

His career shows how modelling skills can lead into presenting, acting, public speaking and entertainment work when they are supported by experience and a clear screen identity.

A detailed list of his recognised screen roles is available through his official NZ On Screen profile.

Is Colin Mathura-Jeffree Still Working?

As of July 2026, Colin remains publicly active as a New Zealand media personality, model, interview subject and charity ambassador.

He participated in a major interview about the Top Model franchise in March 2026, showing that his experience remains relevant to modern discussions about fashion and reality television.

Alzheimers New Zealand also continues to name him among its current Ambassadors for Dementia.

No permanent daily television-presenting position has been confirmed for him in the latest authoritative sources. His public career continues through individual media, modelling, entertainment and ambassadorial projects.

Major Career Achievements

• Built an international modelling career across Europe, Singapore and India
• Worked on fashion assignments connected with Versace and Jean Paul Gaultier
• Became a judge and runway mentor on New Zealand’s Next Top Model
• Presented New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker
• Appeared as a guest judge on America’s Next Top Model
• Acted in Xena: Warrior Princess and Love Has No Language
• Competed on Dancing with the Stars New Zealand
• Played Sanj in Stars in Her Eyes
• Presented The Great NZ Dance Masala
• Appeared in My Life Is Murder
• Competed in the first season of The Traitors NZ
• Became an Ambassador for Dementia with Alzheimers New Zealand

Interesting Verified Facts

He was discovered at university

Colin has said that he was scouted for modelling on his first day at the University of Auckland.

His career developed internationally

Before becoming a television personality, his modelling work had already taken him to Europe, Singapore and India.

His mother had modelling experience

NZ On Screen reports that Colin’s mother had also worked as a model.

He worked in fashion before judging models

His advice on New Zealand’s Next Top Model was supported by real experience in international fashion markets.

A television programme inspired him to act

Colin has said that watching a friend appear on Xena: Warrior Princess encouraged him to consider acting. He later appeared on the programme himself.

His dementia advocacy is personal

His grandmother’s experience with dementia motivated him to help other families understand the condition.

Conclusion

Colin Mathura-Jeffree is best known as a New Zealand model, presenter and actor whose career moved from international fashion into national television.

His years in Europe, Singapore and India gave him practical modelling experience before he became a judge and mentor on New Zealand’s Next Top Model. He later presented New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker, acted in film and television, competed in Dancing with the Stars and joined The Traitors NZ.

His public contribution also extends beyond entertainment. Through his continuing work with Alzheimers New Zealand, he uses his family’s experience to improve understanding of dementia.

His ability to move between fashion, acting, presenting, reality television and advocacy has made him a recognisable figure in New Zealand popular culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Colin Mathura-Jeffree famous for?

He is best known for judging and mentoring contestants on New Zealand’s Next Top Model and presenting New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker.

How old is Colin Mathura-Jeffree?

New Zealand Woman’s Weekly described him as 53 years old in March 2026.

What does Colin Mathura-Jeffree do?

He works as a model, television presenter, actor, spokesperson and public ambassador.

Did Colin Mathura-Jeffree work internationally?

Yes. His modelling career included work in Europe, Singapore and India.

Was Colin Mathura-Jeffree on The Traitors NZ?

Yes. He competed in the first New Zealand season of The Traitors in 2023 and reached the final episode.

Was Colin Mathura-Jeffree on Xena?

Yes. He appeared as Shakti in an episode of Xena: Warrior Princess.

What charity does Colin Mathura-Jeffree support?

He is an Ambassador for Dementia with Alzheimers New Zealand. His involvement was influenced by his grandmother’s experience with dementia.