GIVE US A KISS: Makarewa dairy farmer Tahi Parata is ready to take on the worlds greatest player Phil Taylor.

Tahi Parata has skipped his lunchtime snoozes in recent weeks as prepares to take on darts royalty.

The Makarewa dairy farmer's day normal starts at 4am for milking, followed by some other farm work and then a trip inside for a snooze before its starts again in the afternoon.

Those naps have been limited recently, replaced by lining up his dart board in the garage on the Counsel Rd farm.

The 31-year-old, who took up darts just four years playing in a pub league, is bracing himself to take on Phil 'Power' Taylor in Invercargill on Sunday night as part of the Australasian Darts King series.

Englishman Taylor has amassed over $13m in prize money, Parata had to pay $25 to compete in a South Island qualifying tournament in Timaru to make the series.

Before qualifying Parata was preparing himself to fork out again at a charity auction for the chance to play Taylor. But his upset in qualifying means the Southlander has earned the right to play in official competition play.

"It was in the thousands, I can tell you that," he said, describing what he was prepared to pay in the auction. "It would have depended on the day but I would have bid well over $2000 anyway."

For Parata just meeting his idol was a big deal, but to step onto the stage and line up against him at the ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill was literally a dream come true.

"Getting to spend time with [Taylor] and seeing his routines is going to be really big for me." Parata said. "I'm starting to get a wee bit nervous to be honest.

"The last month I've been practising pretty hard, my staff has been really good telling me to go home and get some practice in. I don't think too much is expected of me but we will see how it goes."

Parata isn't expecting any favours from 16-time world champion Taylor with his last match being a loss in the final of the World Darts Championship in London on Monday.

Taylor lost seven sets to six to Scotsman Gary Anderson.

"I'll do my best but if he's a little bit gutted about losing in the world champs he might take it out on me. I want to win one leg, I don't want to make it too easy for him," Parata said.

Parata's matchup with Taylor will be the last on the opening night on Sunday.

Earlier in the night the Southlander will take on fellow New Zealand player Rob Szabo.

On night two Parata will have an intriguing showdown with fellow Southlander Warren Parry before playing world No 3 Adrian 'Jackpot' Lewis in the final game on Monday night.

Eight players make up the Australasian Darts King series with Englishmen Taylor and Lewis headlining the event.

The other players are made up of leading New Zealand and Australian players.

Following the Invercargill leg the players will head to Wellington for two days competition on January 15 and 16. The series will then finish in Sydney on January 17 and 18.