Eight of the best for the finals

There were supposed to be six senior finalists, and six more in the junior division, at the conclusion of the Far North Voice 2012 auditions in Kaitaia, but such was the quality of the contenders that judges Leonie Waitai, Tupu Campbell, Catherine Ross and Carolyn Stott slipped in three more.

Eight senior finalists will now perform at Te Ahu on September 20, while seven will vie for the junior title, each winner also receiving a trophy and cash.

The senior finalists are Vinnie Saulo (18, Kaitaia), Mere Kay (17, Panguru), Amber Cook-Savage (15, Kaitaia), Jackson Ratu (17, Te Kao), Jessica Wilson-Hynes (16, Ahipara), Canary Herbert (14, Kaitaia), Atarangi Heta (17, Kaitaia), and Atareta Rupapera (15, Kaitaia).

The junior finalists are Shalynd Raui (10, Whatuwhiwhi), Niskyla Pritchard (12, Ahipara), TeHauroa Tawhara-Crown (eight, Ahipara), Caleb Cross (12, Kaitaia), Raninikura Waitai-Henare (12, Kaitaia), Ida Lene-TePania (10, Kawakawa), and Laura Gorrie (12, Cooper's Beach).

Organiser Boycie Tawhara said the judges had a tough job selecting the best of the best from the 50 who registered for the auditions.

"We had originally planned to select 12 finalists, but due to the high calibre of talent we had no choice but to bump that number up to 15," he said.

"The last event of this kind was run back in 2006, and because of the time lapse I was confident that this event would identify a new breed of outstanding young vocalists," he added, and he was right.

The auditioning process had been a tough one, and after four hours of listening and assessing the judges were happy with their decisions.

The junior contenders went first, initially singing behind a closed curtain on the stage at Kaitaia Intermediate School so the judges selected on voice alone. The field was reduced at that point, those who remained then performing again in full view so the panel could assess their confidence and stage presence.

"This is the first time we have used this format, and the addition of the curtain round and the live audience added another positive dynamic to the event," Boycie said.

The finalists took part in a performance enhancement workshop on Sunday, where they received vocal and stage performance mentoring and coaching as part of their preparation for the Grand Finals concert on September 20 (6.30pm to 9.30pm at Te Ahu in Kaitaia). Tickets ($18) are selling now at Te Ahu, and, with a maximum of 400, friends, family and fans were encouraged to get in quick.

For event info and contestant profiles visit the Far North Voice Facebook page.