Mount Maunganui raised Australian Idol star Stan Walker is the first confirmed judge for X-Factor New Zealand.

Stan, who has been nominated for the 2012 [V] Oz Artist of the Year, was born in Australia but was raised in Mount Maunganui attending Arataki Primary before his family relocated back to Australia.

Stan Walker has been named as a judge on X-Factor New Zealand.

The 22-year-old was announced as a judge in the X-Factor at the MediaWorks 2013 season launch this morning.

Stan says he was looking forward to coming home to find some great Kiwi talent.

"I came here because I know the best talent is here.

"I'm excited to discover these gems that haven't been seen yet,” reports stuff.co.nz

The show will be hosted by Dominic Bowden and is described as New Zealand's biggest entertainment programme ever made.

It will showcase talents from all around the country as competitors vie to make through to the next round and ultimately win X Factor New Zealand.

Stan believes he will be as nervous as the contestants during the show.

Stan shot to fame after winning the seventh season of Australian Idol and subsequently signing a recording contract with Sony Music.

In December 2009 Stan released his debut studio album Introducing Stan Walker. He subsequently released two other albums From the Inside Out and Let the Music Play.