Rotorua Daily Post reporter Shauni James is taking part in this year's Harcourts Dancing with the Stars. She shares her thoughts in the build-up to August's event.
Harcourts Dancing with the Stars contestants were looking fabulous this week as they got dressed up for billboard photos.
It is a bit daunting knowing you are going to be on display somewhere in the city for all to see, but it is for a great cause and it was fun to see all the women with their hair and make-up at practice afterwards.
The Toi Ohomai Beauty School students did such a fantastic job getting us dolled up and photo-ready, and some great costumes were picked out from Victoria Grove Costume Hire.
A big thank you also to photographer Andrew Warner for taking the amazing photos.
So, keep your eyes peeled for the billboards which are bound to be hitting the streets in the near future.
Practices have been a heap of fun, and everyone's dances are coming along nicely.
It is certainly a lot more tiring than I was expecting and now that we are really getting into learning our routines I have been experiencing soreness in many forgotten muscles.
Everyone is so dedicated and always has a smile on their face, so each practice has a great vibe.
At this stage it still feels like ages before show night (though that doesn't stop the nerves), but I'm sure that time will go by quickly!
Also, a big thanks to Western Heights Pharmacy for sponsoring my dance partner Tairoa Morrison and me. The support is much appreciated.
General admission tickets for the August 5 event will go on sale next month through Ticketmaster.