Miss Tui title call is answered

The call for local lasses to compete for the title of Miss Tui 2012 has been answered, with eight Wairarapa girls entering the competition.

The competition has been running for a couple of weeks and more than 120 contestants are in the running.

Contestants will take part in a range of challenges over the next few weeks in hope of gaining the most votes to take the title - and a year's supply of beer.

Gladstone's Christina Booth found the idea of entering laughable at first, but after a bit of peer pressure and coaxing from mum she thought "why not?".

"Mum saw an article in the Times-Age appealing for local lasses to come out of hiding and enter the competition, as in the seven years it had been running, no Wairarapa girl had taken the title," she said.

"Enough said, I was ready for the challenge. A year's supply of Tui was a bit of a motivation as well, I must admit."

Miss Booth was born in the region and has lived here most of her life. She currently lives in Wellington while she is studying, but takes every opportunity she can to come home.

"I enjoy the outdoors - the odd walk to Atiwhakatu Hut, a run around Fensham Reserve, camping down the diversion, holidays at Riversdale beach, a game of hockey at Clareville, helping my dad on the family farm, and a few woolshed parties in between," she said.

She has so far created a Facebook page to help with her campaign, but is keeping mum on what she has planned for her weekly challenges.

"I honestly think it should go to an Aucklander ... yeah, right," she said.

Other Wairarapa contestants are Shantelle Downing, Kristin Pedersen, Lauren Larsen-Rowe, Alesha Garrity, Kristin Pedersen, Vicky Paine and Paige-Maree Wilson.

Tui brand manager William Papesch said it was great to see so many Wairarapa girls had entered the contest this year.

"I think one of these girls definitely has what it takes to be the next Miss Tui; all that's standing in their way now are six more challenges and the need for votes from the public," he said.

"Get behind these Wairarapa ladies and support their bid - who knows, the next Miss Tui might be from 'The Rapa'."

The winner is expected to be announced next month.