Beyonce confirms her first solo show in NZ

The world's biggest R&B star, Beyoncé, has confirmed her first solo show in New Zealand at Auckland's Vector Arena on October 18.

Her Friday night gig's a certain sell-out bringing with it the possibility of more concerts before she heads to Australia. They would add to a mammoth Spring season of pop acts coming to Auckland.

The Mrs Carter Show World Tour hits town just after Rihanna's three-night run and One Direction's two-night stint in early October. A month later, there are two shows apiece from Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift.

But the return of Beyoncé Knowles will be the most anticipated. The Grammy-winning singer hasn't played in New Zealand since 2002 when she was here with Destiny's Child, the R&B girl group which made her a star and was the launch platform for her solo career which kicked off in 2003 with the 11 million selling solo debut Dangerously in Love.

The 31 year-old has released three albums since - her fifth is still in the works and the subject of speculation about its likely release - and a run of hit singles such as Run The World (Girls), Love on Top, If I Were A Boy, Single Ladies, Halo and Crazy in Love.

Her Mrs Carter Show World tour follows the January 2012 birth of her daughter Blue Ivy, her daughter with husband, hip-hop star and mogul Jay-Z (Sean Carter), whom she accompanied to New Zealand in 2010 when he supported U2.

Having started in April and due to continue until the end of the year, Beyoncé's current live show has been acclaimed for its scale, production and the performances of its star, her dancers and all-female band.

Ticket availability to the Auckland show are being staggered through various outlets from this week with a special pre-sale for fans who have registered beforehand with Beyonce.com from Wednesday July 10.

Here's when and where tickets will be available from

Fanclub pre-sales: Pre-registered on BeyHive Blog (Beyonce.com) 10am July 10 until 5pm July 11

MasterCard holders: 2pm Fri July 12 until 5pm July 15 via livenation.co.nz

My Live Nation members: 3pm July 16 until 11am July 17 vial livenation.co.nz

Ticketmaster members: 2pm July 17 until 5pm July 18 via ticketmaster.co.nz

General tickets on sale: 10am Friday July 19 via Ticketmaser

* See this Thursday's TimeOut for an exclusive interview with Beyonce.

- nzherald