It's not over 'til…Pavarotti sings in NZ

Luciano Pavarotti looks likely to end his 40-year singing career on a New Zealand stage.

The world renowned tenor will sing his final farewell to an Auckland audience in November, signing off his last show of his Worldwide Farewell Tour to a New Zealand audience.

And while a coup for New Zealand, a country he has not performed in for almost six years, the cost of attending the performance will not come cheap.

Tickets in the "cheap seats" start at $125, increasing to $800 for a seat in the front two rows.

Pavarotti, who turns 70 in October, said the tour would be an emotional end to a career spanning more than four decades, selling more than 100 million records.

"This tour will be very emotional. I am looking forward to travelling around the world meeting many of the colleagues and friends I have made throughout my career and performing for the last time."

Promoter Andrew McManus defended the cost of tickets, and said it reflected the high cost of bringing someone of Pavarotti's stature to New Zealand.

"This is a coup for New Zealand, this will be the last show in the tour. It took months of negotiations to get him to agree to come."

Mr McManus said costs, including stage construction, flights and use of Auckland's 70 strong philharmonic orchestra also boosted ticket prices.

Who: Luciano Pavarotti
When: Saturday, November 12
Where: Auckland's North Harbour Stadium