The Mole - Series One

If I can get through this whole thing without having to stoop to that kind of double-crossing, I'm a better person for it.

– Contestant Cath Vause, describing a paint battle in episode six

The mood in the group is slowly changing; friendship and cooperation have been replaced by mistrust and paranoia. Many of the group are acting suspicious. Of course, that's just what the mole likes to see.

– Presenter Mark Ferguson, in episode six

Even the host did not know who the saboteur was until the end, and the film crew who had run a sweep were all wrong.

– Writer Louisa Cleave in an article about The Mole, The NZ Herald, 30 June 2000

While audiences watched the show in droves, critics and columnists were less-than-kind.

– Writer James Croot looks back on the show, Stuff website, 12 October 2022

Remember The Mole? It was like Big Brother meets Top Town meets the board game Cluedo ... Someone in the show had been planted by producers to subtly sabotage their efforts. Based on a Belgian show that was remade in 40 different countries, the Kiwi version was fronted by Mark Ferguson's eyebrows, which he'd aim at the camera and arch every time a supposedly dubious comment or action was made by a potential 'mole'.

– Writer Chris Schulz sums up The Mole in a opinion piece on New Zealand's reality shows, The NZ Herald, 25 October 2018