Front page of Manawatu Standard:

Idol winner Matt sends Levin bonkers

Minutes after being crowned NZ Idol last night, Levin's Matt Saunoa was on some far-away pop-music planet.  "I've literally just come off the stage and I'm talking to you before I've talked to my parents," he yells over the din of backstage celebratiions at Auckland's St James Theatre.  "I'm trying to let it all sink in, but it's not working."

His smile is shining down the phone but he is exhausted - physically and emotionally spent - like a man who's just won a marathon.  And with $50,000, a recording contract and the keys to a new car now in his back pocket, the 21 year old's thoughts are of home.  "I can't wait to go home.  Levin right now will be going bonkers, absolutely bonkers!"

Over four months of auditions, hundreds of wannabe popstars were whittled down to just two - Saunoa and Indira Moala.  After much theatrics and fanfare over a two-hour live show, Saunoa was last night given the collective nod from New Zealand.  "To win this competition has given me a new lease on life and I just want to go hard.  It's been a long coming,  but it's worth the wait," he said.

Saunoa admitted to a few sleepless nights leading into last night's finale, but said he and Moala had steeled themselves for one last elimination announcement.  Ask him what his plans are from here and his immediate ambitions aren't as lofty as one might think.  "I'd like to have a couple of sleep-ins."

Saunoa was all praise for his rival, who he knew before the competition began.  And it's not just lip-service - Saunoa confirmed reports he would share the cash with Moala, but refused to put an exact dollar sign in front of his generosity.  "If there was anyone else in the world who I'd want to win this competition, it's Indira.  I love that girl so much."

Both finalists sang the Idol winners single, titled  Hold Out, which will be released in the coming weeks.

TVNZ has not yet announced if there will be a fourth competition next year.