New Zealand champion speller Kate Weir, 13, from Linwood College in Christchurch has qualified for the 2007 Scripps Spelling Bee Semifinals in Washington DC.

Kate advanced to the semifinals by spelling "sopite", meaning to put to sleep.

"This is a huge achievement and I am on the verge of tears as it is so exciting," said Janet Lucas, event manager of the New Zealand National Spelling Bee.

In the three years New Zealand has sent a speller to the so-called "Spelling Olympics" it is the first time the country had reached the semifinals.

Kate had to get complete a 25 word multiple choice spelling test to reach the semis, then correctly spell her first word on stage.

To place her among the top 107 of the 286 spellers who remained in the competition, Kate's combined result from the two tests had to be more than 20 points out of a possible 28.

Kate's word on stage was not without its drama, as her accent misled the judges.

Her word was eeriness, but three of the five judges heard her say "a" when she said "e".

After a long pause head judge Mary Brooks asked for the tape to be replayed.

After more consideration her word was accepted.

Ms Brooks told Kate after the round that because she had three e's in the word they could consistently hear the letter and they accepted it was her accent.

Kate admitted to being nervous this morning.

"My hands could not stop shaking on stage," she said.

Kate said just getting to the Scripps spelling bee was an achievement and she wanted to do her best.

Ms Lucas said: "One does not want to look to far ahead, but if Kate survives the (semifinals) she would return to the competition tomorrow."

Most of the contestants are American or Canadian, and there are no Australian or British contenders.

Kate and her mother Paula arrived in Washington on Sunday, in a trip sponsored by the Listener magazine.

The winner receives US$35,000 ($48,808), a US$5000 scholarship, a US$2500 savings bond and a complete set of reference works.

The semifinals will screen live on ESPN and the finals on ABC.

- NZPA