Matthew Saunoa

Matthew Saunoa
Born	1986 (age 30–31) Papatoetoe, New Zealand
Genres	Pop
Years active	2006–07
Labels	Shock Records

Matthew Saunoa (born 1986) is a New Zealand pop singer who rose to musical fame as the winner of the third season of New Zealand Idol in 2006. After winning the third season, his winner's single, "Hold Out" topped the New Zealand Singles Chart, however it did not secure Saunoa an album contract with Sony Music. Saunoa did not release any further music independently, and in result experienced disappointment and periods of depression. Saunoa later appeared on Pop's Ultimate Star, and has since moved to the Gold Coast, Australia with his family, where he joined a band.

Saunoa was born in Papatoetoe, Auckland. His mother is English and his father is Samoan. He attended De La Salle College, where he was a lead singer at school events. Before appearing on Idol, he worked as a builder in Levin. Saunoa relocated to the Gold Coast.

Saunoa unsuccessfully auditioned for the initial season of New Zealand Idol in 2004. After this birth of his first son, Harlyn, Saunoa retried and was accepted onto the show.

On 17 October 2006, betting agency Centrebet announced their final-wee kprediction that Saunoa would win the competition, with his odds at $1.66 and runner up Indira Moala's at $2.10. However, before the finale began, the odds moved to put Moala as the favourite to win. Along with the 'New Zealand Idol' title, he won NZ$50,000 cash, a Daihatsu Terios, a holiday in Rarotonga and recording contract. Saunoa shared some of the prize money with Moala, and sold the Tarios to raise money for a deposit on a house purchase to provide security for his family.

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