Tauranga librarian Ryan Wood loves New Zealand history. He believes he knows enough national history to have a chance at surviving the famous black leather ‘Mastermind' chair.

The first episode of ‘Mastermind' will screen on Sunday night on TV One from 7.45pm – and Ryan will take on the chair in that episode.

Tauranga's ‘Mastermind' contestant Ryan Wood will take on the black leather char this Sunday. Photo/Supplied.

'It's an interesting show that tests general knowledge as well as trivia,” says Ryan, showing his enthusiasm for the show.

Mastermind 2016, is modelled on the 1980s version that screened on Kiwi television for 16 years, but with three rounds rather than two.

One round is about general knowledge, one round deals with New Zealand topics; and one round tests knowledge on a topic of the contestant's choice. In Ryan's case, the topic of choice is the New Zealand Wars.

Ryan says he feels he knows a lot of general knowledge and has prepared himself for the show by playing endless rounds of trivial pursuit.

But he particularly finds the New Zealand Wars fascinating.

'They were our version of the American Civil War and the Wild West. History is about stories that really happened.”

He has studied English as well as history at university and worked at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic library.

Ryan has read a lot recently and scavenged for facts everywhere.

'The questions will be a mixture,” he says. 'You never know how hard it is going to be. The level of questions for ‘Mastermind' is quite high.”

Veteran Kiwi broadcaster Peter Williams will host ‘Mastermind', one of the most rigorous and intellectual quiz shows around. Tune in on Sunday and see how Ryan goes.