He has experienced drug and alcohol addiction, and in 2023 he was imprisoned for over six years for injuring a police officer in a deliberate hit-and-run.
[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.
[6] Along with the 'New Zealand Idol' title, he won NZ$50,000 cash, a Daihatsu Terios, a holiday in Rarotonga and recording contract.
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.
[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.
[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.