# New Zealand Idol season 1

The first season of New Zealand Idol was produced by Fremantle Media subsidiary Grundy Television in association with UK company 19TV, and was broadcast on TVNZ in the early half of 2004. The judges were Paul Ellis, Fiona McDonald and Frankie Stevens.

## Auditions

The auditions were held at the following locations:
* Trentham Racecourse, Trentham, Upper Hutt
* Riccarton Racecourse, Riccarton, Christchurch
* Ellerslie Racecourse, Ellerslie, Auckland
Those who were successful would proceed to the "Top 60" theatre rounds held at the Maidment Theatre in Auckland.

## Theatre Week

The successful contestants who made it through to the "Top 60" rounds would spend a gruelling three days at the theatre.
* Day One: Contestants, in groups of six, were to sing in turn, a cappella, a song of their own choice. At the end of the day, twelve were sent home, leaving 48 remaining.
    Eliminated: Faith, Petia, Darryl, Kasanita, Ria, George, Dominic, Naomi, Charli, Hiwi, Ruth, Matthew
* Day Two: Trio performances would test the contestants' teamwork skills, with the guys performing Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds", while the girls would perform the Burt Bacharach classic "I Say a Little Prayer." At the end of this, the group was once more reduced by a further 12.
    Eliminated: Jazmine, Conrad, Pairama, Wiremu, James, Krista, Rebekah, Daniel, Chantel, Jessica, Katherine, Clarke
* Day Three: The remaining 36 contestants have one last opportunity to impress the judges. Once again they were to perform solo, (a cappella), in front of the judges and all other remaining contestants.
    Eliminated: TJ, Liam, Courtenay, Ian, Maisey, Rochelle, Akina, Toni, Rusila, Pania, Sacha, Paranihia
The decision of the final cut to the "Top 24" was delivered to three groups of twelve, with one group being sent home.

## Semi-finals
### Group 1

Advancing to the Top 10: Camillia Temple, Ben Lummis and Filipo Saipani Wildcard Contender: Nigel Withington

### Group 2

Advancing to the Top 10: Luke Whaanga, Dave Houma and Michael Murphy Wildcard Contender: Jessie Cassin

### Group 3

Advancing to the Top 10: Robin Johnson, Sela Mahe and Eddie Gaiger Wildcard Contender: Amanda Boyce

### Wildcards

* Nigel Withington – "Lady in Red" by Chris de Burgh
* Jessie Cassin – "Something Good" by Bic Runga
* Amanda Boyce – "Amazing Grace"
Advancing to the Top 10: Jessie Cassin

## Weekly Song Themes

| Date | Week | Theme | Guest Judge |
| 14 March | Top 10 | Contestant's Choice | Guy Sebastian |
| 21 March | Top 9 | Homegrown | Annie Crummer |
| 28 March | Top 8 | Disco | none |
| 4 April | Top 7 | Ballads | Nathan King |
| 11 April | Top 6 | British Invasion | Ian "Dicko" Dickson |
| 18 April | Top 5 | Soul | Peter Urlich |
| 25 April | Top 4 | Rock | Karyn Hay |
| 3 May | Top 3 | The '80's | Lucy Lawless |

## The Top 10 Finalists
### Ben Lummis

Ben Lummis (born 1 June 1978 in Wellington) was the winner of the first series of New Zealand Idol.
    Audition: "Back at One" by Brian McKnight
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "The Day" by Babyface
    Top 24: "Back at One" by Brian McKnight
    Top 10: "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross
    Top 9: "Oughta Be in Love" by Dave Dobbyn
    Top 8: "Hang On in There Baby" by Johnny Bristol
    Top 7: "I Can Love You Like That" by All-4-One
    Top 6: "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal
    Top 5: "Treat Her Like a Lady" by The Temptations
    Top 4: "American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz, "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
    Top 3: "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News, "Rhythm of the Night" by DeBarge
    Top 2: "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal, "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi, "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly, "They Can't Take That Away" (Winner's single)

### Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy (born 4 September 1986 in Taupō), was runner-up to winner Ben Lummis.
    Audition: "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Drive" by Incubus
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "Better Be Home Soon" by Crowded House
    Top 24: "Drive" by Incubus
    Top 10: "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down
    Top 9: "Better Be Home Soon" by Crowded House
    Top 8: "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry
    Top 7: "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton
    Top 6: "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams
    Top 5: "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding
    Top 4: "Rock and Roll" by Led Zeppelin, "Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling
    Top 3: "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash, "Angel of Harlem" by U2
    Top 2: "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams, "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton, "One" by U2, "They Can't Take That Away" (Winner's single)

### Camillia Temple

Camillia Temple (aged 28, from Hamilton), came third.
    Audition: "My Love Is Your Love" by Whitney Houston
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "How Come You Don't Call Me?" by Alicia Keys
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
    Top 24: "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" by Whitney Houston
    Top 10: "Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin
    Top 9: "Escaping" by Margaret Urlich
    Top 8: "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle
    Top 7: "Purple Rain" by Prince
    Top 6: "Superstar" by Jamelia
    Top 5: "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin
    Top 4: "Alone" by Heart, "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles
    Top 3: "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner, "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston

### Luke Whaanga

Luke Whaanga, (aged 20, from Lower Hutt), was placed fourth.
    Audition: "I Love Every Little Thing About You" by Stevie Wonder
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "A Whole New World" by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "If I Had No Loot" by Tony! Toni! Toné!
    Top 24: "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston
    Top 10: "Slippin' Away" by Max Merritt
    Top 9: "Sitting Inside My Head" by Supergroove
    Top 8: "You to Me Are Everything" by The Real Thing
    Top 7: "When A Man Loves A Woman" by Percy Sledge
    Top 6: "Come Together" by The Beatles
    Top 5: "Shining Star" by The Manhattans
    Top 4: "Behind Blue Eyes" by Limp Bizkit, "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC

### Dave Houma

Dave Houma (aged 28, from Auckland), finished in fifth place.
    Audition: "Yesterday Once More" by The Carpenters
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" by Chicago
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "Love X Love" by George Benson
    Top 24: "Yesterday Once More" by The Carpenters
    Top 10: "Hard to Find Her" by Zed
    Top 9: "Better" by Brooke Fraser
    Top 8: "Give Me the Night" by George Benson
    Top 7: "Truly" by Lionel Richie
    Top 6: "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" by Elton John
    Top 5: "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" by The Four Tops

### Eddie Gaiger

Eddie Gaiger (aged 25, from the Coromandel), was placed sixth.
    Audition: "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Oughta Be in Love" by Dave Dobbyn
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "Burn for You" by John Farnham
    Top 24: "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray
    Top 10: "One Last Breath" by Creed
    Top 9: "Misty Frequencies" by Che Fu
    Top 8: "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder
    Top 7: "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins
    Top 6: "Somebody To Love" by Queen

### Robin Johnson

Robin Johnson (aged 18, from Upper Hutt), finished in seventh place.
    Audition: "Man of the Hour" by John Farnham
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "Kiss" by Prince
    Top 24: "Ribbon in the Sky" by Stevie Wonder
    Top 10: "Cry Me A River" by Justin Timberlake
    Top 9: "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House
    Top 8: "Blame It on the Boogie" by The Jackson 5
    Top 7: "I'll Be There" by Mariah Carey

### Jessie Cassin

Jessie Cassin (aged 18, from Browns Bay, Auckland), placed eighth. Prior to Idol, Jessie was completing a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Performance Music – Classical.
    Audition: "Drive" by Bic Runga
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Songbird" by Eva Cassidy
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston
    Top 24: "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan
    Wildcards: "Something Good" by Bic Runga
    Top 10: "Something Good" by Bic Runga
    Top 9: "I Hope I Never" by Split Enz
    Top 8: "Dancing Queen" by Abba

### Sela Mahe

Sela Mahe (aged 17, from Māngere, Auckland), finished ninth. She is of Tongan descent.
    Audition: "It's Only a Paper Moon" by Natalie Cole
    Theatre Week (Round 1):
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "It's Only a Paper Moon" by Natalie Cole
    Top 24: "How Come You Don't Call Me?" by Alicia Keys
    Top 10: "Gettin' In The Way" by Jill Scott
    Top 9: "Time Makes A Wine" by Ardijah

### Filipo Saipani

Filipo Saipani (aged 18, from Wellington), was placed tenth.
    Audition: "God Defend New Zealand"
    Theatre Week (Round 1): "Whenever You Call" by Brian McKnight
    Theatre Week (Round 3): "I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5
    Top 24: "Still" by Brian McKnight
    Top 10: "Whenever You Call" by Brian McKnight

## The Grand Final

The final was held on 10 May, with the following performances:
* The Top 10: "Kids" by Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue
* Luke Whaanga: "Sitting Inside My Head" by Supergroove
* Ben Lummis: "They Can't Take That Away" (winner's single)
* Eddie Gaiger: "Somebody To Love" by Queen
* Camillia Temple: "Purple Rain" by Prince
* Michael Murphy: "They Can't Take That Away" (winner's single)
* Jessie Cassin: "Drive" by Bic Runga
* Fiona McDonald & Frankie Stevens: "Somethin' Stupid" by Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra
* Robin Johnson: "Cry Me A River" by Justin Timberlake
* Filipo Saipani: "Whenever You Call" by Brian McKnight
* Sela Mahe: "How Come You Don't Call Me?" by Alicia Keys
* Michael Murphy: "Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling
* Ben Lummis: "American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz
* Dave Houma: "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" by Elton John
* Ben Lummis: "They Can't Take That Away"

## Elimination chart

| Stage: | Stage: | Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | WC | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| Week: | Week: | 23/2 | 1/3 | 8/3 | 13/3 | 15/3 | 22/3 | 29/3 | 5/4 | 12/4 | 19/4 | 26/4 | 3/5 | 10/5 |
| Place | Contestant | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result |
| 1 | Ben Lummis | Top 10 | | | | Btm 3 | | Btm 3 | Btm 3 | | | | | Winner |
| 2 | Michael Murphy | | Top 10 | | | | | | | | | | | Runner-up |
| 3 | Camillia Temple | Top 10 | | | | | | | | | Btm 2 | Btm 2 | Elim | |
| 4 | Luke Whaanga | | Top 10 | | | | | | | Btm 2 | | Elim | | |
| 5 | Dave Houma | | Top 10 | | | | | | | Btm 3 | Elim | | | |
| 6 | Eddie Gaiger | | | Top 10 | | Btm 2 | | Btm 2 | Btm 2 | Elim | | | | |
| 7 | Robin Johnson | | | Top 10 | | | Btm 2 | | Elim | | | | | |
| 8 | Jessie Cassin | | Elim | | Top 10 | | Btm 3 | Elim | | | | | | |
| 9 | Sela Mahe | | | Top 10 | | | Elim | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Filipo Saipani | Top 10 | | | | Elim | | | | | | | | |
| Wild Card | Nigel Worthington | Elim | | | Elim | | | | | | | | | |
| Wild Card | Amanda Boyce | | | Elim | Elim | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 3 | Lee Fidow | | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 3 | Lemuel Misa | | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 3 | Alana Plews | | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 3 | Ariana Roberts | | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 2 | Sam Cowley-Lupo | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 2 | Ngahekenga Growcott | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 2 | Gemma Russell | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 2 | Inangaro Tangianau | | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 1 | Faaose "Oz" Aneru | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 1 | Christine Hutt | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 1 | Emily Kay | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 1 | Karly Ryder | Elim | | | | | | | | | | | | |