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Australian Idol star Stan Walker has one thing he wants to do when he arrives in Tauranga today, eat his favourite food - raw fish.
Walker will make a fleeting visit home for the Matakana Island Natural Breeze Music Festival - his first public performance in New Zealand since winning the title.
His mother April, who is also his manager, said her son was excited about returning to Tauranga for the island festival.
"It's near his hometown Mount Maunganui, so he thought that would be awesome if he had the time."
Time is something that has become precious to Walker since he won the title in November.
"It's really hard when you are in the position he's in," Mrs Walker said.
"He can only go and do the concert - he can't see anyone, because everyone would want a piece of him. It's all too much.
"He's handling it pretty well so far, but he is a bit exhausted."
Walker initially had doubts about the Matakana Island festival until he realised it was a family-friendly event run by the island's Te Awanui Hauora Trust (health trust).
"He said they would all be drunk over there, but I said no, it's smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free. Then he wanted to do it.
"He is a good boy. [But] as a mother he's still a pain - he's a 19-year-old boy.
"As a teenager he wants to be with all his mates, playing stupid games at their houses, having pillow fights."
Walker is famously clean-living after a family background which included domestic violence, drug use and alcohol abuse.
Mrs Walker said she had no regrets about the family's past becoming public through Australian Idol.
"That's all right. Where we come from is a huge testimony to where we are now. We thank God for where we are now.
"I don't really care who knows what we've been through, people that know me or don't know me, that's all good."
Walker, who was expected to arrive in Tauranga today after flying into New Zealand yesterday afternoon, planned to enjoy the festival.
He was looking forward to seeing Herbs, Maisey Rika and Katchafire, his mother said.
He will return to Australia tomorrow ahead of a concert in Adelaide on Monday. From then, he's booked up with gigs until the end of April.
"When the gigs come in, he just wants me and his father to be mum and dad, when he wants to refuel. He wants some TLC, so I'll give him some."
credit : http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/local/news/idol-star-stan-keen-to-relax-during-visit-home/3908689/
Walker will make a fleeting visit home for the Matakana Island Natural Breeze Music Festival - his first public performance in New Zealand since winning the title.
His mother April, who is also his manager, said her son was excited about returning to Tauranga for the island festival.
"It's near his hometown Mount Maunganui, so he thought that would be awesome if he had the time."
Time is something that has become precious to Walker since he won the title in November.
"It's really hard when you are in the position he's in," Mrs Walker said.
"He can only go and do the concert - he can't see anyone, because everyone would want a piece of him. It's all too much.
"He's handling it pretty well so far, but he is a bit exhausted."
Walker initially had doubts about the Matakana Island festival until he realised it was a family-friendly event run by the island's Te Awanui Hauora Trust (health trust).
"He said they would all be drunk over there, but I said no, it's smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free. Then he wanted to do it.
"He is a good boy. [But] as a mother he's still a pain - he's a 19-year-old boy.
"As a teenager he wants to be with all his mates, playing stupid games at their houses, having pillow fights."
Walker is famously clean-living after a family background which included domestic violence, drug use and alcohol abuse.
Mrs Walker said she had no regrets about the family's past becoming public through Australian Idol.
"That's all right. Where we come from is a huge testimony to where we are now. We thank God for where we are now.
"I don't really care who knows what we've been through, people that know me or don't know me, that's all good."
Walker, who was expected to arrive in Tauranga today after flying into New Zealand yesterday afternoon, planned to enjoy the festival.
He was looking forward to seeing Herbs, Maisey Rika and Katchafire, his mother said.
He will return to Australia tomorrow ahead of a concert in Adelaide on Monday. From then, he's booked up with gigs until the end of April.
"When the gigs come in, he just wants me and his father to be mum and dad, when he wants to refuel. He wants some TLC, so I'll give him some."
credit : http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/local/news/idol-star-stan-keen-to-relax-during-visit-home/3908689/
yes, I want the schedule too.... but the website hasn't released any schedule for Jan yet... 
