The X Factor (New Zealand TV series) series 1
The X Factor NZ Series 1 aired on TV3 from 21 April to 22 July 2013. It was hosted by Dominic Bowden with judges Melanie Blatt, Stan Walker, Ruby Frost and Daniel Bedingfield. The show was open to singers aged 14 and over and used the four categories: Boys, Girls, Over 25s and Groups.
More than 6,000 people auditioned. After pre-auditions and a bootcamp in Auckland, contestants went to judges’ retreats in New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Australia. From 120 at bootcamp, 24 progressed to the retreats, and a wildcard gave the show 13 finalists: Fletcher Mills.
The live shows began on 19 May at Auckland Film Studios in Henderson. The final on 22 July crowned Jackie Thomas as the winner. The 22-year-old from Greymouth won a Sony Music NZ recording contract and a new car. Runner-up was Whenua Patuwai; Benny Tipene and Moorhouse were also among the final contenders.
Jackie Thomas’s winner’s single, “It’s Worth It,” was released on the final night. The series was produced by MediaWorks and FremantleMedia Australia, with funding from NZ On Air and sponsors including Ford NZ, Samsung, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:39 (CET).