My Kitchen Rules contestant Michael Murray suddenly dies aged 46

My Kitchen Rules contestant Michael Murray suddenly dies aged 46

My Kitchen Rules New Zealand contestant Michael Murray has died.

An extended family member confirmed his death on Monday afternoon, though no cause has yet been released.

‘It’s a shock to all those who know him,’ the relative who asked not to be named said.

Mr Murray completed in the 2024 season of the hit amateur cooking show with his cousin Piki Knap.

According to their biography for the series, the pair grew up together in Te Kūiti, south of Auckland, and developed their love of cooking from entertaining family guests at gatherings of up to 200 people.

Mr Murray said his strengths were his agility, precision and unassuming personality that together made him a ‘mighty ninja in the kitchen’.

He also explained in an interview earlier this year he spent much of the last 12 years in Central America where he had small parts on shows including telenovelas.

‘My background is in modelling and acting,’ he told Woman’s Day.

‘I was Mr New Zealand back in 2005, and that’s what took me overseas and eventually to Mexico. Obviously, I’m not Mexican, but they thought I was Latino.

‘I did some great work there, then to come home and be a part of this whole journey with MKR is a blessing in disguise. I’ve always put my hand up to opportunity,’ he said.