16 year old singing sensation Hayley Westenra was today presented with a 10 x Platinum award for her album ‘Pure,’ by the Right Honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister and Minister For The Arts, Culture and Heritage, at a special reception held at the Hilton Hotel in Auckland. Hayley is the first New Zealand artist to ever receive a 10 x Platinum award.

Hayley, who is currently in the middle of a national New Zealand tour, took time out of her hectic schedule to fly to Auckland for the presentation.

“I am really honoured to receive this award, especially to have it presented by our Prime Minister Helen Clark. Singing is something that I would be doing no matter what, and the fact that so many people are appreciating my music and are actually going out and buying my album, it is so very humbling” Hayley said earlier today.

“Hayley is richly talented and deserves the accolades she is receiving. The success of the Pure album has been a milestone not only in her career, but also for New Zealand. There can be no better promotion for New Zealand than our artistic excellence and the success Hayley has forged will open new doors for other New Zealand musicians,” Prime Minister Helen Clark said.

MULTI-PLATINUM SELLER HAYLEY WESTENRA MAKES IMPACT IN THE USA WITH WHIRLWIND PRESS TOUR WHILST SALES HIT 1 MILLION WORLDWIDE

It's been quite a year for Hayley Westenra. The 16 year old signing sensation has come along way from the days of busking in the streets of her hometown Christchurch, New Zealand. Since the release of her debut international album PURE (August 2003) Hayley has sung for Her Majesty the Queen of England, travelled the globe performing at Carnegie Hall, The Sydney Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall, joined forces with the legendary tenors Bryn Terfel and Jose Carreras, and has become the youngest ever ambassador for UNICEF. And it doesn't end there…

In 2003 Hayley made chart-busting history in the music industry by becoming the fastest-selling debut classical artist in U.K. history. PURE took 1 week to reach Gold status and soon hit Double Platinum with her album immediately smashing into the Top 10 album pop charts. PURE has also gone Platinum in Australia and 10x Platinum in New Zealand where she has broken records by staying at the No.1 spot in the pop charts for over 17 weeks. Hayley has now become the 4th longest running No.1 artist of all time (and the longest running local artist) with only Abba, Dire Straits and Shania Twain having spent more weeks in the top spot.

The beginning of 2004 saw Hayley fresh off her first whirlwind press tour of LA and New York where she charmed the entertainment world on both sides of the Atlantic. Upon meeting with top executives at major film and TV studios in LA, Westenra came away with a guest appearance on the hit NBC show "American Dreams" and has already been called in to audition for two major film appearances. Hayley also gave a mesmerizing performance at a showcase at Times Square in New York and was immediately asked to perform on the hit morning talk show Good Morning America.

The rest of 2004 will see Hayley embarking on her first ever international headlining tour that includes New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Europe. PURE will then be released in the USA on the 6th April 2004, and Europe are eagerly standing by for Hayley-mania in Autumn 2004.

Hayley's latest single in the UK is her fantastic version of Wuthering Heights. The single is to be released on 10th March, Japan and 29th March, UK.

Tracklist
1. Wuthering Heights
2. Across The Universe Of Time
3. My Heart And I
4. Wuthering Heights [Video]

Pre-order the single here at HMV

Hi everyone!!

I hope you're all well! I'm actually back home in Christchurch at the moment, preparing for my "Pure Tour" which starts in less than a week....gosh, time goes so quickly! I'm really looking forward to performing all my new repertoire for you guys; it's so exciting to be touring again in New Zealand and then also, overseas for the first time.

As you may know I was very recently over in America, for a couple of weeks, performing and meeting people regarding my album which will be released in the US and Canada on 6 April. I spent a week in LA and then a week in New York where I did a showcase in Times Square, the night of the snow storm!! I was actually singing in the Good Morning America studio, with Times Square as my backdrop...plus the beautiful snow falling outside as I was singing!! I have to admit, it was very exciting...but very cold!

I then went on to Sydney, Australia (via LA, Tahiti, Rarotonga and Auckland...wheww!) and spent a couple of days doing interviews about my forthcoming tour.

Finally, I made my trip home to Christchurch. I can't believe just how much I missed everyone, even if it was only for a few weeks! I better go though. Not because it's lovely and warm outside (which it is!), but because I have to start packing...oh, and tidy my room!!

Love Hayley xxx