Hundreds gathered to hear the voices of those who reached the grand final of the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club Karaoke Idol competition took place on Saturday.

The crowd witnessed the 11 finalists take to the stage and to see who would take home the winning title.

The competition which had been running for three weeks saw a fitting end with close to 500 people attending the finals.

Out of eleven finalists, three took home winning titles.

James Niua won first place and took home the big $1000 prize.

Tarita Willis came in second, winning $500, and Ashleigh Winongi-Willis came in third place, taking home $250.

The eleven finalists included James Niua, Tarita Willis, Ashleigh Winongi-Willis, France Apera, Chelsie Napa, Dom John, Jason Matakino, Annie Clementes, Paul Dwane, Kiana Puna, and Bobby Sadaraka.

Each contestant took home $100 each for their participation and for contributing to the event’s success over the past month.

Organiser Julie Tangimetua-Karika said, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for braving that stage and sharing your amazing beautiful voices with us, do not stop!”

Champion Niua’s two winning songs for the night were Never Too Much by Luther Vandross and End of the Road by Boys to Men.

Kiana Puna sings her heart out. 21102503

“My focus for the night was just to have fun and not let my nerves get the better of me.

“It was all about the fun, winning was totally unexpected and was the cherry on top,” he said.

“Hopefully everybody else had fun as well.”   

Tangimetua-Karika thanked the ever charismatic Clee Marsters for being MC for the event and driving the night from start to finish with his energy.  

“You were in your element my friend, thank you for being you.

“The show was flawless with your energy, I appreciate you! 

“And seeing how successful it was is the icing on the cake for me.

“Our little island has so many people with hidden talents and I am just proud, as well as all our members of the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club, that we were able to show case that to you, Rarotonga,” she said. 

The Fishing Club wanted to extend their gratitude to all their sponsors who made the event possible with their contributions.

Annie Clementes takes the stage. 21102504

The sponsors included the Nav and Tetua Singh Family, BSP Bank, Eric Elika, GIO Contractors, The Bond Store, CITC Liquor, Rehab Nightclub, Kristle and Winedres Sendito, Angela Charlie, Kiona and Tiere Vaimene, Shirley William, Teata Nga, and the Ministry of Culture for providing extra chairs and tables.