The first series of New Zealand's Got Talent began airing on Prime on 8 September 2008 and ran to 28 October 2008. It consisted of 13 episodes.
In March 2008, Prime announced it was producing a version of New Zealand's Got Talent, in conjunction with South Pacific Pictures and FremantleMedia, with a grand prize of NZ$100,000.
In June, actress Miriama Smith was announced as the first of the show's three judges, and television presenter Andrew Mulligan and radio host Jason Reeves were announced as the show's two presenters. In July, the final two judges were announced - former NZ Idol judge Paul Ellis and former Radio With Pictures presenter and television producer Richard Driver.
It was the first and only series of New Zealand's Got Talent produced by Prime. The series had not delivered expected advertising revenue and in 2009, the network confirmed that they would not produce any further series. Subsequent to the series lackluster performance, the franchise rights were acquired by TVNZ for a more successful second series run in 2012.
Auditions
The audition process started in May 2008 with an initial registration period for applicants. The top applicants were then invited to the judges auditions rounds in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in August. The series started with highlights from the judges shows, one episode per location, starting on Monday 8 September. From this round, the judges chose 32 contestants to go through to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals
There were four semi-finals with eight contestants in each show. Starting 29 September, the pre-recorded performance show screened on Mondays nights, followed by the live results show on Tuesday nights.
Key Judges' choice
Semi-final 1 (29 September) OrderContestantActJudges' choicesFinishedDriverSmithEllis1 The Mini Me’s Dance Group Lost Judges Vote2 Olaf John Singer Eliminated3 Jeremy Ainsley Juggler Eliminated4 Edward Owen Singer Eliminated5 Americus Wilson Hula Hoop Act Won Judges Vote6 Fiddlelore Band Eliminated7 Diflair Flair Bartenders Eliminated8 Chaz Cummings Dancer Won Public Vote
Semi-final 2 (6 October) OrderContestantActJudges' choicesFinishedDriverSmithEllis1 All Star Cheerleaders Cheerleading Group Eliminated2 Caleb Jago-Ward Singer Eliminated3 Chelsea and Quest Dog Act Won Judges Vote4 Strungout Musicians Eliminated5 Ruth Pearce Dancer Lost Judges Vote6 Kent Isomura Pianist Eliminated7 Gaylene Stewart Singer Won Public Vote8 Andre Vegas Magician Eliminated
Semi-final 3 (13 October) OrderContestantActJudges' choicesFinishedDriverSmithEllis1 Melissa Nordhaus Singer Eliminated2 Ease Singing Group Won Judges Vote3 TMC (That Mean Crew) Dance Group Won Public Vote4 Foolish Honey Acrobat Eliminated5 Caitlin Turner Singer Eliminated6 Legacy Dance Group Lost Judges Vote7 Seamus Sword Swallower Eliminated8 Leo Barnett Singer Eliminated
Semi-final 4 (20 October)
OrderContestantActJudges' choicesFinishedDriverSmithEllis1 Jai n Mel Acrobat Duo Eliminated2 Joshy Beatboxer Won Public Vote3 HymnChiDivah Singing Group Eliminated4 Coral Pitcher Singer Lost Public Vote5 Tim Pekamu Harmonica Player Won Judges Vote6 Penelope Muir Singer Eliminated7 Gabru Ground Shakers Dance Group Eliminated8 Sticks Percussion Group Eliminated
Final (27 October)
The finals performances took place on Monday 27 October with the results revealed on Tuesday 28 October. As well as the performances from each of the finalists, each judge invited back a previously eliminated contestant. They were singer Paton Jacinto, pianist Kent Isomura and singer Melissa Nordhouse.
OrderContestantActFinished1 TMC (That Mean Crew) Dance Group 22 Ease Singing Group 73 Chelsea and Quest Dog Act 84 Americus Wilson Hula Hoop Act 55 Joshy Beatboxer 46 Chaz Cummings Dancer 17 Tim Pekamu Harmonica Player 68 Gaylene Stewart Singer 3
References