# 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:
* Telstraclear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau
* Westpac Stadium, Wellington
* Addington Raceway, Addington, Christchurch
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 (Day 2): 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 (Day 2): 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 (Day 3): 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.
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.
    Eliminated: Naomi, Darren, Liana, Davinia, Tiresa, Vicki, Beau, Te Rau, Birgette

## 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

| Date | Week | Theme |
| 27 August | Top 10 | Soul |
| 3 September | Top 9 | Rock |
| 10 September | Top 8 | Country |
| 17 September | Top 7 | Elton John |
| 24 September | Top 6 | Groove |
| 1 October | Top 5 | Pop |
| 8 October | Top 4 | Homegrown |
| 15 October | Top 3 | Love Songs |
| 22 October | Top 2 | Judges' / Music Team's Choice |
| 23 October | Top 2 | The Final Showdown |

## The Top 10 Finalists
### Matt Saunoa

Matt Saunoa (aged 21, from Levin) was the winner of the third series of "New Zealand Idol".
    Audition: "My Girl" by The Temptations
    Theatre Week (Round 1):
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia
    Top 18: "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees
    Top 10: "Living for the City" by Stevie Wonder
    Top 9: "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw
    Top 8: "Amazed" by Lonestar
    Top 7: "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" by Elton John
    Top 6: Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding / The Commitments
    Top 5: "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley
    Top 4: "Sitting Inside My Head" by Supergroove, "Welcome Home" by Dave Dobbyn
    Top 3: "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye, "Forever Now" by Cold Chisel
    Top 2: "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by Bee Gees, "This Love" by Maroon 5,
    The Final Showdown: "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley, "Every Breath You Take" by The Police, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith, "Living for the City" by Stevie Wonder

### Indira Moala

Indira Moala (aged 21, from Glen Eden, Auckland), was runner-up to winner Matt Saunoa.
    Audition: "Ordinary People" by John Legend
    Theatre Week (Round 1):
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "I Say A Little Prayer" by Burt Bacharach
    Top 18: "Love Will Lead You Back" by Taylor Dayne
    Top 10: "Think" by Aretha Franklin
    Top 9: "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette
    Top 8: "Heartache Tonight" by Eagles
    Top 7: "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John
    Top 6: "I'm Outta Love" by Anastacia
    Top 5: "Hit Me, Baby, One More Time" by Britney Spears
    Top 4: "Down Time" by Aaradhna, "Better Be Home Soon" by Crowded House
    Top 3: "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston, "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston
    Top 2: "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera, "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" by The Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin
    The Final Showdown: "Hit Me, Baby, One More Time" by Britney Spears, "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson, "Open Arms" by Journey / Mariah Carey, "Think" by Aretha Franklin

### Aroha Robinson

Aroha Robinson (aged 18, from Mt Maunganui, Bay of Plenty), came third.
    Audition:
    Theatre Week (Round 1):
    Theatre Week (Round 3):
    Top 18: "I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5
    Top 10: "River Deep - Mountain High" by Ike & Tina Turner
    Top 9: "Purple Rain" by Prince
    Top 8: "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain
    Top 7: "Circle of Life" by Elton John
    Top 6: "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston
    Top 5: "That Don't Impress Me Much" by Shania Twain
    Top 4: "Watchin' U" by Ardijah, "Lifeline" by Brooke Fraser
    Top 3: "Dance with My Father" by Luther Vandross, "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green

### Ben Hazlewood

Ben Hazlewood (aged 17, from Papakowhai, Wellington), was placed fourth.
    Audition: "Fall at Your Feet" by Crowded House
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Sugar, We're Goin Down" by Fall Out Boy
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "If You're Not the One" by Daniel Bedingfield
    Top 18: "Move Along" by The All-American Rejects
    Wildcard: "Move Along" by The All-American Rejects
    Top 10: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by The Temptations
    Top 9: "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones
    Top 8: "Take It Easy" by The Eagles
    Top 7: "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" by Elton John
    Top 6: "Like I Love You" by Justin Timberlake
    Top 5: "For You I Will" by Teddy Geiger
    Top 4: "Fall at Your Feet" by Crowded House, "Running" by Evermore

### Kali Kopae

Kali Kopae (aged 21, from Christchurch), finished in fifth place.
    Audition: "When I Fall in Love" by Nat King Cole
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Summertime" by Ella Fitzgerald
    Theatre Week (Round 3):
    Top 18: "Imagine" by John Lennon
    Top 10: "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival / Tina Turner
    Top 9: "Violent" by Stellar*
    Top 8: "This One's for the Girls" by Martina McBride
    Top 7: "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" by Elton John
    Top 6: "Sway" by Michael Bublé
    Top 5: "Soak Up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow

### Toni Baird

Toni Baird (aged 29, from Upper Hutt), was placed sixth.
    Audition: "Stop!" by Sam Brown
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia, "Stop!" by Sam Brown
    Top 18: "Bathe in the River" by Hollie Smith
    Top 10: "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby" by Sam & Dave / Jimmy Barnes
    Top 9: "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks
    Top 8: "Jolene" by Dolly Parton
    Top 7: "Your Song" by Elton John
    Top 6: "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses

### Rebecca Wright

Rebecca Wright (aged 24, from Mt Albert, Auckland), finished in seventh place.
    Audition: "Because of You" by Kelly Clarkson
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia
    Top 18: "Yesterday" by The Beatles
    Top 10: "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle
    Top 9: "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin
    Top 8: "How Do I Live" by LeAnn Rimes
    Top 7: "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John

### Clinton Randell

Clinton Randell (aged 20, from Mt Roskill, Auckland), placed eighth. He hosted The Edge Breakfast in the 2010s and 2020s.
    Audition: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland
    Theatre Week (Round 1):
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith
    Top 18: "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" by Elton John
    Top 10: "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder
    Top 9: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan
    Top 8: "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain

### Ashlee Fisher

Ashlee Fisher (aged 16, from Hamilton), finished ninth.
    Audition: "Hero" by Mariah Carey
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Dance with My Father" by Luther Vandross
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys
    Top 18: "I Turn to You" by Christina Aguilera
    Top 10: "Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield
    Top 9: "4ever" by The Veronicas

### Victor Sulfa

Victor Sulfa (aged 19, from Papatoetoe, Auckland), was placed tenth.
    Audition: "A Song for You" by Leon Russell
    Theatre Week (Round 1):
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder
    Top 18: "Can We Talk" by Tevin Campbell
    Top 10: "Love Child" by Diana Ross & The Supremes

## The Group Performances

    Group 1: "Kids" by Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue, "Blame It on the Boogie" by The Jackson 5
    Group 2: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder, "Upside Down" by Diana Ross
    Group 3: "You Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes
    The Top 10: "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" by The Four Tops, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations
    The Top 9: "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett, "I Want You to Want Me" by Cheap Trick
    The Top 8: "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers
    The Top 7: "I'm Still Standing", "Crocodile Rock" by Elton John
    The Top 6: "Hey Ya!" by Outkast,
    The Top 5: "Reach" by S Club 7, "Keep on Movin'" by Five
    The Top 4: "Slice of Heaven" by Dave Dobbyn, "Why Does Love Do This To Me?" The Exponents
    The Top 3: "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" by Rita Coolidge, "Faith" by George Michael
    The Top 2: "You Give Me Something" by James Morrison

## The Grand Final

The final was held on 29 October, with the following performances:
* "Indira Moala: "Hold Out" (Winner's single)
* "Indira Moala: "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé Knowles & Jay-Z
* "Matt Saunoa: "Hold Out" (Winner's single)
* "Matt Saunoa: "When I Get You Alone" by Robin Thicke
* "Top 10 Girls: "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls / Geri Halliwell
* "Top 10 Guys: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye
* "Top 10: "Blame It on the Boogie" by The Jackson 5
* "Top 10: "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" by The Four Tops

## Elimination chart

| Stage: | Stage: | Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | WC | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| Week: | Week: | 7/8 | 14/8 | 21/8 | 21/8 | 28/8 | 4/9 | 11/9 | 18/9 | 25/9 | 2/10 | 9/10 | 16/10 | 23/10 | 29/10 |
| Place | Contestant | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result |
| 1 | Matt Saunoa | | | Top 10 | | | | | | | | | | | Winner |
| 2 | Indira Moala | | Top 10 | | | | | | Btm 2 | | | | | | Runner-up |
| 3 | Aroha Robinson | | | Top 10 | | | | | | | Btm 2 | Btm 2 | Elim | | |
| 4 | Ben Hazlewood | | | Elim | Top 10 | | | | | Btm 2 | | Elim | | | |
| 5 | Kali Kopae | Top 10 | | | | | Btm 2 | Btm 2 | | | Elim | | | | |
| 6 | Toni Baird | | Top 10 | | | Btm 3 | | | | Elim | | | | | |
| 7 | Rebecca Wright | | | Top 10 | | | | | Elim | | | | | | |
| 8 | Clinton Randell | Top 10 | | | | | | Elim | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Ashlee Fisher | Top 10 | | | | Btm 2 | Elim | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Victor Sulfa | | Top 10 | | | Elim | | | | | | | | | |
| Wild Card | Lenken Isaac | Elim | | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | |
| Wild Card | Wiremu Hohaia | | Elim | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 3 | Emilie Harwood | | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 3 | Cameron Clayton | | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 2 | Stephen Wilton | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 2 | Vicki Eaton | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 1 | George Gates | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 1 | Alyce Burr | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | | | |