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Pacific Voices Shine in Kiri Te Kanawa Final | Auckland News
This year’s Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest grand final is a powerhouse of talent—with half the finalists hailing from Pacific island backgrounds, including Samoan brothers Faamanu and Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono, and Tongan singer Samuel Mataele. Celebrating its 70th anniversary, this prestigious New Zealand classical music event returns to Wellington on July 11, 2026, featuring the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and legendary judge Frederica von Stade. With a $95,500 prize and a legacy of launching global careers—including Dame Kiri herself—the competition spotlights not just vocal excellence, but the…
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