Competing in the final of Maori Television's premier show Homai Te Pakipaki will mean a return to the golden years for Diane Tibble.
Born and bred in Rotorua, Mrs Tibble has always enjoyed singing, touring with the great Sir Howard Morrison for four years in the 1980s as well as working with other famous musicians in New Zealand and overseas.
She was named in the final for the high-rating Maori Television karaoke show after placing second in her semifinal on Friday, which included 10 performers singing live on national television.
"I'm looking forward to the big stage, to sing in front of a lot of people.
"I'm a bit worried about the television cameras though," she said with a polite giggle.
A humble Mrs Tibble said it had been a different experience singing on television and she often sighed to herself when she saw replays on the internet.
"I get all shy and can't even talk properly on TV, I often think 'oh boy'."
The talented singer entered the competition this year after her daughter signed for New Zealand's Got Talent.
"Now I'm getting older I thought 'oh well I may as well give it a go'.
"My daughter auditioned for New Zealand's Got Talent and I thought that's probably for the younger ones so I'll try out for Homai Te Pakipaki and will stick with the oldies."
She said she really appreciated the support from the community which put her in good stead for the $10,000 grand prize on offer at Friday night's grand final held at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre.
"It is a bit overwhelming with all the support," she said.
Judging for the competition is done through text voting with supporters able to send up to five votes off each phone.
Mrs Tibble will take the stage last out of 10 performers at the national final. Each contestant picks five songs, with the judges having the final say which song they will perform on the finals show.
"I want my song to be upbeat. My preferred song would be Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton."
Homai Te Pakipaki producer Piripi Menary said in the show's six-year history it was often the person who performed last who won.
He said generally the winner of the grand final would receive between 20,000 and 40,000 votes on the night.
Mrs Tibble will be performing in Rotorua on Thursday to gain support for the show - at the City Focus around lunchtime and the Rotorua Citizens Club in the evening.
Also competing at the final will be Tokoroa's Brittany Teokotai and Abbie Leigh and Lower Hutt's Hoki Kepa who has connections with Te Arawa, Tuhoe and Ngati Awa.
The Homai Te Pakipaki final will air live on Maori Television from 8.30pm Friday, with the winner announced late in the show.