The third season of New Zealand Idol commenced in July 2006. The judges were Iain Stables, Megan Alatini and Frankie Stevens.

Auditions

The auditions were held at the following locations: Those who were successful would proceed to the "Top 60" theatre rounds held at Sky City in Auckland.

Theatre Week

The successful contestants who made it through to the "Top 60" rounds would spend three days of audition rounds at the Sky City theatre. Following the final round, all remaining 27 were called on stage, to be told which nine were going home. After most of the contestants were either eliminated or told they were through, the remaining five – Toni, Lenken, Birgette, Ben and Emilie, were lastly given one more chance to sing for the 4 places left in the Top 18. The last contestant to be eliminated was Birgette, aged 21 from the Te Atatū area of West Auckland.

Semi-finals

Group 1

Advancing to the Top 10: Kali Kopae, Ashlee Fisher and Clinton Randell Wildcard Contender: Lenken Isaac

Group 2

Advancing to the Top 10: Indira Moala, Victor Sulfa & Toni Baird Wildcard Contenders: Wiremu Hohaia

Group 3

Advancing to the Top 10: Matt Saunoa, Aroha Robinson and Rebecca Wright Wildcard Contender: Ben Hazlewood

Wildcards

Advancing to the Top 10: Ben Hazelwood

Weekly Song Themes

The Top 10 Finalists

Matt Saunoa

Matt Saunoa (aged 21, from Levin) was the winner of the third series of "New Zealand Idol".

Indira Moala

Indira Moala (aged 21, from Glen Eden, Auckland), was runner-up to winner Matt Saunoa.

Aroha Robinson

Aroha Robinson (aged 18, from Mt Maunganui, Bay of Plenty), came third.

Ben Hazlewood

Ben Hazlewood (aged 17, from Papakowhai, Wellington), was placed fourth.

Kali Kopae

Kali Kopae (aged 21, from Christchurch), finished in fifth place.

Toni Baird

Toni Baird (aged 29, from Upper Hutt), was placed sixth.

Rebecca Wright

Rebecca Wright (aged 24, from Mt Albert, Auckland), finished in seventh place.

Clinton Randell

Clinton Randell (aged 20, from Mt Roskill, Auckland), placed eighth. He hosted The Edge Breakfast in the 2010s and 2020s.

Ashlee Fisher

Ashlee Fisher (aged 16, from Hamilton), finished ninth.

Victor Sulfa

Victor Sulfa (aged 19, from Papatoetoe, Auckland), was placed tenth.

The Group Performances

The Grand Final

The final was held on 29 October, with the following performances:

Elimination chart

Commercial Releases