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 Semi-finals 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