"To have her come to Tauranga is a tremendous boost for our musical community. I hope that a lot of our young singers will be able to get out to see her, because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear a truly international opera singer," he said.
He said Dame Kiri's voice still sounded amazing.
Ms Peacock Coyle used her professional links with Dame Kiri's manager to secure the booking. The rest of the six-venue national tour was organised around the Baycourt date.
She was the director of Oamaru's Opera House when Dame Kiri agreed to do a one-off New Zealand show at the theatre in 2013.
"When I came to Baycourt last year, I said let's see if we can get Dame Kiri to Tauranga."
Ms Peacock Coyle worked all this year to secure the 2016 recital and she was confident that Dame Kiri's stunningly intimate performance at Oamaru could be achieved at Baycourt, which was a similar size with 577 seats.
Recalling the performance in the Opera House, she said you could hear a pin drop.
"It was so intimate ... she did a beautiful Danny Boy, you could see people crying."
Dame Kiri said she was excited to be bringing her music to Tauranga. "Whilst I have performed in other parts of the Bay, I am looking forward to my first performance in Tauranga. The songs I have selected are all personal favourites and it is always a pleasure to share my music," she said.
She will be accompanied by Christchurch-born pianist and head of classical performance studies at the University of Otago, Professor Terence Dennis.
Baycourt is offering Bay residents an exclusive early opportunity to buy tickets for An Evening with Dame Kiri.
The locals-only pre-sale opens at 9am at Baycourt box office on November 5.
The majority of the seats have been allocated locally, with those who miss out at the box office still able to secure tickets online on November 9, when the rest of the seats go nationwide.
Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby said he was delighted Dame Kiri was coming to the city.
"It is exciting for Tauranga and reinforces Baycourt's reputation as one of New Zealand's thriving performing arts facilities."
Dame Kiri has performed in concert halls throughout the world, with recent performances in countries including China, Canada, Brazil, Germany and Spain. Her performances last year included guest appearances during the Covent Garden Opera season of Daughter of the Regiment. In 2013, she appeared in the hit show Downton Abbey, playing legendary Australian diva Dame Nellie Melba.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
* Born March 6, 1944, in Gisborne
* A highly successful international opera career since 1968
* Voice consistently praised for its freshness and warmth
* Gives masterclasses and supports young opera singers to launch their careers
