School's out for NZ Idol fans

By ABIGAIL CASPARI in Rotorua
No one could have been happier about finishing school early than Rotorua's Daniel Firth.

While most intermediate school-aged children were still in the classroom yesterday the Year 7 student from John Paul College was meeting seven of the top 10 NZ Idol finalists.

School finished for Daniel last week and he was in town grabbing a bite to eat when he had a chance meeting with the TV stars.

"I was just having pizza and then I decided to have food in the City Focus. I found out the Idols were coming."

The 12-year-old was among the first in the line to get autographs from the seven singing stars including NZ Idol winner Rosita Vai and six of the other finalists Nik Carlson, Steven Broad, Jesse O'Brien, Ashley Cooper, Rongo Brightwell and Teresa Bergman.

Daniel was one of hundreds lining up for autographs.

He said Nik Carlson was his favourite and it was "interesting" to meet him and the others.

The Idols asked him if he was going to tonight's concert but Daniel said he was not able to go.

For the NZ Idol winner Rosita, it was her first time in Rotorua. She had only been at the City Focus a few minutes when someone gave her a Christmas gift.

"This really beautiful girl gave it to me and said Merry Christmas. It's my first Christmas present."

The gift remained wrapped the whole time she was speaking to all the fans.

Rosita said she was looking forward to performing in Rotorua tonight and said comments made by Sir Howard Morrison about her being overweight were "all in the past".

"You have just got to move on."

She said the tour was a way of the finalists giving something back to all their supporters.

Tonight's concert at the Rotorua Convention Centre begins at 7pm and there will be door sales.