Childs 'in love with NZ'

Altiyan Childs swept into New Zealand yesterday and declared: "I love this place."

The pop sensation told how he had been blown away by his reception at the Christmas In The Park concert last night where he performed in front of 200,000 people.

"Tonight felt like the crowning achievement of a long road for me."

As news filtered through that his debut album had sold 50,000 copies in just two days in Australia, the The X Factor winner said he was keen to buy a holiday home in New Zealand.

He said: "Australia holds a lot of difficult memories for me. I thought I would never be in love again, but I am in love with this place."

After eight years of celibacy, Altiyan said he was on the lookout for love again, and he was keeping an eye out for Kiwi girls.

"All she has got to do is kick that door down. If she is strong enough to kick it down, then we will have to see."