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.


 * "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.


 * Eliminated: Naomi, Darren, Liana, Davinia, Tiresa, Vicki, Beau, Te Rau, Birgette

Group 1

 * George Gates – "Truly" by Lionel Richie
 * Ashlee Fisher – "I Turn to You" by Christina Aguilera
 * Lenken Isaa – "Brand New Jones" by Robin Thicke


 * Alyce Burr – "Without You" by Brooke Fraser
 * Clinton Randell – "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" by Elton John
 * Kali Kopae – "Imagine" by John Lennon

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

Group 2

 * Wiremu Hohaia – "Oughta Be in Love" by Dave Dobbyn
 * Stephen Wilton – "U Will Know" by Black Men United
 * Vicki Eaton – "Last Dance" by Donna Summer


 * Toni Baird – "Bathe in the River" by Hollie Smith
 * Victor Sulfa – "Can We Talk" by Tevin Campbell
 * Indira Moala – "Love Will Lead You Back" by Taylor Dayne

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

Group 3

 * Matthew Saunoa – "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees
 * Ben Hazlewood – "Move Along" by The All-American Rejects
 * Aroha Robinson – "I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5


 * Emilie Harwood – "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Celine Dion
 * Cameron Clayton – "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding
 * Rebecca Wright – "Yesterday" by The Beatles

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

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