Our man stan shows Aussies how to sing

A contingent from Tauranga flew to Sydney today to support a former Mount Maunganui schoolboy who has made the final of Australian Idol.
Stan Walker, 18, lived at Tamapahore Marae and attended Arataki Primary School before his family moved away five years ago, first to Hamilton and then to Queensland.
Mary Black, Stan's "auntie" was one of seven Tauranga relatives who made the trip today to see Stan battle rock chick Hayley Warner in a sing-off at the Sydney Opera House tomorrow night.
It's the second time Mary has gone over to see Stan - she already went four weeks ago to watch him perform in the hit show, which is viewed by 1 million Australians every week.
And Mary - who is the first cousin of Stan's father Ross Walker - has no doubt who should take out the title.
"I think talent-wise, he should win it. Otherwise, if he doesn't win, it's probably because he's a Kiwi. Some vote on popularity and some vote on talent."
Mary, who is best friends with Stan's mother April, said the entire marae was thrilled for Stan.
"It's really special. It's not just myself, the whole extended family is over the moon. It's really amazing.
 "It's really all his extended family. I feel so sorry for the ones that are staying behind, because they would love to be there."
 People at the marae had tried unsuccessfully to get a live link organised so they could watch and feature on the show.
Mary said Stan always remembered his roots and often referred to his Tauranga upbringing on his video diaries.
"He says 'I'm just a little Maori boy from Tamapahore, who ever would have thought I'd be here?'
"He's bubbly, he's funny, he's just out there. He won't snob anyone."
Stan and Hayley were named finalists in an episode which screened in New Zealand last night.
Although the grand final screens in Australia tomorrow night, it will not be shown in New Zealand until Friday.
The winner of Australian Idol will receive a recording and management contract, a car and a $200,000 artist development fund.
But talk in Australian media is that Stan has already won - he's been offered contracts by Good Charlotte twins Joel and Benji Madden and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, who appeared as guest judges on the show.
On his blog, Stan said he couldn't believe he had made the top two.
"It was just amazing. I can't explain it. You can't explain stuff like this. People can make up words, but you can't explain emotions. It's just one big fat emotion."
In an interview on the TVNZ website Stan said he was proud of his Tauranga heritage.
"I'm so proud of who I am and where I come from. Every chance I can get, I always try to get my Maori thing in there and make known to the world who and what I am.
"We're really proud people. I'm so blessed to be in such a strong culture. Anything I can be a part of back home (our Maori, our language), I'm all for it, man."