Cruize a standout on show

Cruize Karaitiana sang a soulful rendition of The Beatles' tune Let It Be, which brought the panel of New Zealand's Got Talent judges and the studio audience to their feet.

Masterton singer Cruize Karaitiana won a standing ovation during his grand final performance on New Zealand's Got Talent last night.

Karaitiana, 23, a mill worker by day at Juken New Zealand Wairarapa, sang a soulful rendition of The Beatles' tune Let It Be, which brought the panel of judges and the studio audience to their feet.

The judging panel includes Rachel Hunter, Jason Kerrison, and Cris Judd, who told Karaitiana after his performance he stood an undeniable chance of winning.

Karaitiana first received a standing ovation during his show audition for his delivery of the Tracey Chapman song Fast Car, which he dedicated to his late sister Shanice Karaitiana, 19.

She had originally introduced him to the Chapman song, Karaitiana said during his show segment, but in November last year "took her own life".

Karaitiana performed the Bruno Mars song Just The Way You Are in the semifinal, which won him the lion's share of public text votes and his outright passage through to last night's grand final.

Public votes by text will now decide the top three performers and the winner, who stands to take home $100,000 and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle.

To cast a vote in New Zealand's Got Talent, send a text message to 8981 with the name of your preferred contestant as displayed on the programme.

Voting lines will be open until noon tomorrow.