Screaming Stan Walker fans flocked to Hawke's Bay Opera House in Hastings last night to see the former Australian Idol winner perform all his "top 40" hits live on stage.
The New Zealand-born singer was welcomed to Hawke's Bay yesterday afternoon with a powhiri led by local woman Rebecca Kamau, at
the Opera House Plaza.
Walker replied by singing a rendition of How Great Thou Art in Maori.
Later that night the Opera House was packed with a young crowd who sung along with all of their favourite tunes.
Walker has been making his way around the country this month on his first New Zealand tour which includes gigs in Wellington, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Hastings, Tauranga, Auckland, Rotorua and Christchurch.
In 2009 the singer released his first album Introducing ... Stan Walker, featuring the song Black Box which went to No1 on national music charts.
Since releasing his sophomore album From The Inside Out just last year, Walker has really taken off with two gold singles to date, Unbroken and Choose You.
After taking out four Tuis at the New Zealand Music Awards, Walker decided it was time to come home to thank all of his fans here.
"New Zealand is my home.
"Just because I don't live there it doesn't make a difference - if I moved to Russia, that wouldn't make me Russian."
