The inaugural IWI IDOL singing competition will be launched at NGĀPUHI FESTIVAL next year to celebrate talented youth and provide a platform to recognise and develop upcoming musical talent in Aotearoa.

Iwi Idol will give one young person the ultimate chance to perform at festival with award winning soul singer Aaradhna.

Festival Event Manager Tio Taiaki says "With so many young talented singers out there, we wanted to provide a platform to celebrate and share their talent with the world.  This is the first time Aaradhna has been involved with a competition like this, and she's really excited!"

The competition calls for young people up to the age of 25 who live in New Zealand to submit a 1 minute video of themselves performing their favourite song.  Ten finalists will be selected using a public voting process via Facebook.  The grand prize winner will be selected from the group of finalists. Every finalist will be invited to perform at NGĀPUHI FESTIVAL 2018, with the ultimate winner performing live with Aaradhna”.

Aaradhna says “I’m really excited to hear some of the Iwi Idol contestants and look forward to performing one of my original songs with the winner.  This opportunity should create an atmosphere where we recognise our younger generation and the talent they have been blessed with. It will also be an amazing experience for them to perform in front of a large scale audience in front of the community, their family & friends…good luck to all the contestants and I look forward to the event".

For more details on how to be involved visit facebook.com/ngapuhifestival or ngapuhifestival.com

Ends.

For all enquiries and interview requests:

Tio Taiaki

Event Manager - Ngāpuhi Festival 2018

027 4165 027

media@ngapuhi.org

About Iwi Idol and Ngāpuhi Festival 2018

• Inaugural event
• Video submissions open on Wednesday 15th November
• Video submissions close on Friday 1st December, 5pm
• Online voting opens on Monday 4th December, 9am
• Online voting closes on Wednesday 13th December, 5pm
• Ngapuhi Festival is the largest FREE music, arts, cultural and community event in Northland
• Event will be held at Toll Stadium on Saturday 27 January 2018
• FREE Entry to festival
• Ngāpuhi Festival hosted by Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi since 2004
• www.ngapuhifestival.com
• www.facebook.com/ngapuhifestival