Matthew Saunoa

Saunoa was born in Papatoetoe, Auckland. His mother is English and his father is Samoan. He attended De La Salle College, where he was a lead singer at school events.[1] Before appearing on Idol, he worked as a builder in Levin.[2] Saunoa relocated to the Gold Coast in 2009.[3]

Saunoa unsuccessfully auditioned for the initial season of New Zealand Idol in 2004. After the birth of his first son, Saunoa tried again and was accepted onto the show.[4]

On 17 October 2006, betting agency Centrebet announced their final-week prediction that Saunoa would win the competition, with his odds at $1.66 and runner up Indira Moala's at $2.10.[5] However, before the finale began, the odds moved to put Moala as the favourite to win.[6] Along with the 'New Zealand Idol' title, he won NZ$50,000 cash, a Daihatsu Terios, a holiday in Rarotonga and recording contract.[7][8] Saunoa shared some of the prize money with Moala, and sold the Tarios to raise money for a deposit on a house purchase to provide security for his family.[8]

Saunoa performed his winner's single, "Hold Out", on the finale of New Zealand Idol on 29 October 2006. Written by James Reid of The Feelers,[4] it was released for purchase by Shock Records on 31 October 2006,[7] with a download available on 6 November.[9] The song debuted on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number one the day of its digital release, and remained on the chart for twenty-three weeks.[10] "Hold Out" was also used as TV One's theme tune in the summer of 2006–07.[11] However, due to the low sales of the song, Saunoa did not secure a contract to record a studio album.[4]

The following year, Saunoa contested the reality television show Pop's Ultimate Star, and came third, with TrueBliss singer Joe Cotton and New Zealand Idol season two runner-up Nik Carlson receiving first and second places, respectively.[12][13]

As "Hold Out" was Saunoa's only solo musical release, Saunoa felt guilty for not making more of his New Zealand Idol title, and for letting his supporters down.[11] In an interview with the Manawatu Standard in 2010, Saunoa stated, "I got to release a single, and that was it. I just felt I was left to rot. After climbing what seemed an impossible mountain it felt like I had fallen and landed flat on my face."[11] However, in 2009, Saunoa formed a band with Lionel Nelson, formerly of Herbs, and Melaanie Viether. The group, named Brown Suga, began performing at the Gold Coast, in Australia.[11] Of the collaboration, Saunoa said, "We work really well together and I get to do a lot of solo stuff...Being with Kiwi people and other Polynesian people, I don't know, something really clicks."[11] Around this time, he moved to Mudgeeraba with his partner and children.[11]

Saunoa has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction since his teenage years.[14] In 2020, Saunoa was sentenced to 13 months' imprisonment in Australia for various drug-related and property offences. He was deported from Australia after serving his sentence.[13]

On 18 October 2023, Saunoa was jailed in New Zealand for six years and seven months after he committed a deliberate hit-and-run and caused serious injuries to a police officer who was trying to stop him during a November 2021 car chase.[13][14] Saunoa had pled guilty to aggravated grievous bodily harm, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, burglary and other motor vehicle offences relating to the chase.[14]