Rongo latest ex-idol

The remaining contestants of New Zealand Idol are halfway down the home straight after Rongo Brightwell became the show's latest casualty last night.

The 17-year-old from Mohaka impressed the judges with his rendition of The Temptations' song Ain't Too Proud to Beg on Sunday, but the public voted him off.

Only five idol hopefuls now remain out of the top 10.