NZ Idol poster boy Ben sent packing

Ben Hazelwood

It's a dark day for New Zealand's tweens after last night's NZ Idol elimination saw poster boy Ben Hazelwood exit the competition.

The youngest finalist in this year's series, 17-year-old Hazelwood was a favourite amongst pre-adolescent girls.

But the tween vote wasn't enough to save him and the Wellington singer was sent packing after last night's show, leaving Aroha Robinson, Indira Moala and Matt Saunoa to battle it out in the final three.

Hazelwood hit headlines last week after an executive decision by Idol bosses pulled the plug on his original song choice.

The young singer was due to perform Without You, an original composition about his sister Emma.

At the time Hazelwood told nzherald.co.nz he was disappointed by the executive's ruling but still hoped to perform the song later on in the competition.

Last night's elimination put paid to that dream, but with his solid female fan base, it is unlikely New Zealand has seen the last of Hazelwood.