Wellington singer Renee Maurice wins NZ's Got Talent

Renee Maurice, the winner of New Zealand's Got Talent.

New Zealand's Got Talent winner Renee Maurice says she wants to use her prize money to help out her parents.

The Wellington singing tutor took out the TV One reality show last night, thanks to her version of Jennifer Holliday's And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.

Viewers voted her into the top spot, ahead of Christchurch dance duo Silhouette in second place, and 14-year-old singer/guitarist Jenny Mitchell, from Gore.

After her win, a "stunned" Maurice said her winnings - $100,000 and a Toyota Rav 4 - would be used to "help my parents".

"When Tamati read my name out I was just stunned, as well as honoured and grateful that people had actually taken the time to vote for me," she said.

"My goal with the prize is to help my parents first, as this gives us the opportunity as a family to have no financial burdens. I can continue to do what I love without worrying about money.

The 22-year-old said she would use the win as a platform to launch her career. She wanted to "perform live as much as possible and do larger gigs".

Judge Jason Kerrison said all three finalists delivered "flawless" performances.

"I wasn't surprised that Renee won at all, from the outset she was clearly in the running ... I'm ecstatic for her."

Maurice won after 400 acts who performed for the judges were whittled down to just 30 in the semi-finals. She was then voted top from 13 finalists.

- nzherald.co.nz