Stan Walker

Prior to his chat with RNZ Music’s Yadana Saw he gives a quick masterclass on how to film this interview for radio:

Shae is happy to give us a crash course in expanding our content making skills.

It seems he is completely unfazed by the obstacles and quirks of his chosen profession: evading the attention of armed security guards; trawling Craigslist for vintage cars or maintaining control of wayward tractor tyres.

“It’s such an amazing art form, you’re so free to do what you want” enthuses Shae.

Photos uploaded to Facebook by the New Zealand’s Tangata Pasifika correspondent John Pulu who was the Masters of Ceremony during the events showed Walker and his band had appeared on stage.

Walker tweeted and said: “We here & we performing tonight…”.

He was performing at an evening champagne reception held to celebrate the launch, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and members of the royal family.

His Majesty King Tupou VI officially launched the kingdom’s new largest hotel on Thursday 16.

Walker, an Australian-born New Zealand recording artist, actor and TV personality was the winner of seventh and last season of Australian Idol in 2009.

His performance at the grand opening of the newly renovated hotel in Nuku’alofa is booked for Friday, February 17 and is by invitation only.

The hotel which was previously solely owned by the government of Tonga was taken over by Fiji-based Tanoa Group of Hotels last year.

The hotel’s General Manager in Nuku’alofa, Peter Kurds had earlier said the renovation cost up to TOP$18 million.