New Zealand Idol season 3


The third season of New Zealand Idol commenced in July 2006. The judges were Iain Stables, Megan Alatini and Frankie Stevens.

Auditions

The auditions were held at the following locations:
Those who were successful would proceed to the "Top 60" theatre rounds held at Sky City in Auckland.

Theatre Week

The successful contestants who made it through to the "Top 60" rounds would spend three days of audition rounds at the Sky City theatre.
  • Round One : Contestants, in groups of six, were to sing in turn, a cappella, a song of their own choice. This year, the entire 58 contestants would sing before the judges decided on which 22 people would be eliminated.
  • Round Two : In a diversion away from the regular group rounds, 18 of the 37 remaining contestants would pair up for duet performances of the Elton John and Kiki Dee classic "Don't Go Breaking My Heart". Those remaining paired up to sing Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning", including a group of 3 due to the uneven numbers. At the end of this, 10 contestants were sent home.
  • Round Three : After the previous rounds, the remaining 27 contestants would have their last opportunity to impress the judges. Unlike previous years, each of the contestants were restricted to a choice of one of six songs, to perform in front of the judges and the remaining contestants, although they were accompanied by music.
  • "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder
  • "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith
  • "More Than Words" by Extreme
  • "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia
  • "I Say a Little Prayer" by Burt Bacharach
  • "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys
Following the final round, all remaining 27 were called on stage, to be told which nine were going home. After most of the contestants were either eliminated or told they were through, the remaining five – Toni, Lenken, Birgette, Ben and Emilie, were lastly given one more chance to sing for the 4 places left in the Top 18. The last contestant to be eliminated was Birgette, aged 21 from the Te Atatū area of West Auckland.

Semi-finals

Group 1

Advancing to the Top 10: Kali Kopae, Ashlee Fisher and Clinton Randell
'''Wildcard Contender: Lenken Isaac'''

Group 2

Advancing to the Top 10: Indira Moala, Victor Sulfa & Toni Baird
'''Wildcard Contenders: Wiremu Hohaia'''

Group 3

Advancing to the Top 10: Matt Saunoa, Aroha Robinson and Rebecca Wright
'''Wildcard Contender: Ben Hazlewood'''

Wildcards

  • Ben Hazelwood – "Move Along" by The All-American Rejects
  • Wiremu Hohaia – "Oughta Be in Love" by Dave Dobbyn
  • Lenken Isaac – "Brand New Jones" by Robin Thicke
'''Advancing to the Top 10: Ben Hazelwood'''

Weekly Song Themes

The Top 10 Finalists

Matt Saunoa

Matt Saunoa was the winner of the third series of "New Zealand Idol".

Indira Moala

Indira Moala, was runner-up to winner Matt Saunoa.

Aroha Robinson

Aroha Robinson, came third.

Ben Hazlewood

Ben Hazlewood, was placed fourth.

Kali Kopae

Kali Kopae, finished in fifth place.

Toni Baird

Toni Baird, was placed sixth.

Rebecca Wright

Rebecca Wright, finished in seventh place.

Clinton Randell

Clinton Randell, placed eighth. He hosted The Edge Breakfast in the 2010s and 2020s.

Ashlee Fisher

Ashlee Fisher, finished ninth.

Victor Sulfa

Victor Sulfa, was placed tenth.

The Group Performances

The Grand Final

The final was held on 29 October, with the following performances:

Commercial Releases