New Zealand Idol (season 1)

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, Dominic, Naomi, Charli, Hiwi, Ruth, Matthew, Georgina

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.

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

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 Taupo), 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: "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): "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 Mangere, 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"