Young Rotorua singer Katerama Pou has big plans for 2017 including putting out a record and appearing on a TV show.
Katerama, 17, won the GLO Spot Online Buskers Competition, earning her the right to perform as part of the GLO Party Lineup at the Lakefront on New Year's Eve.
While she had arranged other New Year's Eve plans before finding out about her win the chance to perform in front of her hometown was an opportunity she relished.
"It was so awesome and there were so many people. I was nervous at first but as I sang it got easier.
"It was cool to perform in front of Rotorua where I come from. It's best to do it at home."
Katerama performed three songs at the GLO Party.
"Singing is something I've always done. I've dreamt of being a singer since I was little," she said.
However, Katerama has never taken singing or music lessons: "I'm self-taught".
She said her family "sing a lot" and the musical genes had been passed down from generation to generation.
At the GLO Spot Live Finale Katerama sung songs from artists such as Michael Jackson, Beyonce and Amy Winehouse.
"It was my first time entering the buskers' competition. It was nerve-wracking seeing if people would give you their [voting] tokens," she said.
"My family are really supportive. Where I go they're there to support me, I love my family."
She said Kiwi singer-songwriter Lorde and Maori musician Rob Ruha were two artists who really inspired her.
"Lorde got out, into the US and the UK, and is doing her own thing."
She said pop music was one of her favourite genres of music, alongside soul music.
Going into Year 13 at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata this year, Katerama said after high school she planned to study a teaching degree and a music degree in order to become a music teacher, "as a fallback plan".
She intends 2017 to be a big year music-wise.
"I'm trying to get out there and get known. I've got big goals. Music is a really big goal of mine. I've always dreamt of being a singer and pursuing singing.
"Plan A is to become a big-time singer. This year I'm going to find my own way to put out a record and I'm also taking part in a New Zealand reality television show."