Exhausted Mary J Blige postpones NZ tour

Fans eagerly anticipating singer Mary J Blige's New Zealand visit this month will have to wait longer than planned, after the tour was postponed today.

Citing weariness from an overwhelming tour schedule, Blige's management confirmed the Australia and New Zealand tour had been pushed back until November.

In a statement Blige said she was disappointed that she would not be able to make it to Australia and New Zealand as planned.

"I want to thank all of my wonderful fans who supported the announcement of my first tour in these countries and I can't tell you how excited I was to come down in June and put a show on for you all.

"Postponing these shows has been an extremely difficult decision for me and I am sincerely sorry that I will not be able to fulfil my tour commitments, but I assure you that the November shows will be worth the wait."

The R&B star was set play at Auckland's Vector Arena on June 16, and Wellington Town Hall on June 17.

Chugg Entertainment said all tickets purchased for the June concerts would be valid for the rescheduled shows, and advised anyone wanting a refund to go to website www.chuggentertainment.com.

Full details about the rescheduled dates would be announced at the end of the month.