Simon Barnett

Simon Barnett (born 23 March 1967) is a radio and television host and presenter in New Zealand.
Barnett currently co-hosts the morning show on Christchurch radio station 92 More FM with Gary McCormick, and previously with Phil Gifford. He has hosted a breakfast slot on 91ZM, worked for Radio Nelson and has acted, appearing in a New Zealand feature film Ruby and Rata (1990). Barnett also won the 2015 series of Dancing with The Stars NZ.
Barnett was one of the hosts in the children's TV programme What Now? from 1988-1992. He hosted the New Zealand version of the UK musical talent show, Stars In Their Eyes from 2008 to 2009. He was the host of the 2013 series of Mitre 10 Dream Home, which was based in post-earthquake town of Kaiapoi, Canterbury.
In 2015, Barnett was a celebrity contestant on Dancing with the Stars, where he progressed to the finals and eventually won the competition with professional dancer Vanessa Cole.

Personal life

Barnett grew up in Ashburton, near Christchurch in Canterbury, attending Ashburton College from 1980 and graduating in 1984. He has been married since 1991, to wife Jodi, with whom he has four daughters.

He is active in the Christian community in Christchurch, and was active in voicing his opinions against the controversial Child Discipline Bill proposed in the Parliament of New Zealand, supporting the "Vote NO" campaign in the 2009 corporal punishment referendum.