Kiwi teen the favourite for Australian Idol title

Stan Walker has previously performed mainly in church. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A teenager who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in the Bay of Plenty is preparing for the biggest night of his life.

Stan Walker is tipped to take the title of Australian Idol in the final episode of the show's seventh season, which airs on Australian screens tomorrow night.

The 18-year-old shop assistant, who grew up on a marae in Mt Maunganui but now lives in Coolangatta, south of Australia's Gold Coast, has told media the environment he grew up in was like Once Were Warriors but his life was turned around after he and his family discovered God.

Walker's Australian Idol website blog describes overwhelming emotions and exhausting rehearsals as he builds up to what he says will be "one of the best times of my life, if not the best".

"It's been a really, really, really, really busy, hectic, overwhelming week," the blog, posted on Thursday, reads.

"I have no emotions any more! I don't even know what's happening. Far out! It's a mix between over-excitement, it's just so big that I've come to this stillness, this silence.

But it's awesome. I'm more than blessed."

Walker had mostly performed only in church, and had wanted to compete in Idol since the show's first series.

He is competing with Hayley Warner, 17, for the show's top spot - although most bookies have him picked as more than three times more likely to win.

Both contestants say they are friends and will be happy no matter who wins.

The final screens in New Zealand at 8.30pm on Friday.