Miss Rotorua training is well under way as the finalists get ready to impress the pageant's six judges.
Miss Rotorua organiser Kharl WiRepa said the judges were industry professionals and had an understanding of what a truly beautiful person was on the inside as well as the outside.
They include Destiny Church's Hannah Tamaki, Desperate Housewives of Auckland star Anne Batley Burton and Auckland socialite Fiona Tarlton.
Organiser Kharl WiRepa said each young woman selected for the top 21 had the perseverance and capabilities to represent Rotorua and New Zealand.
Mr WiRepa said there had been two weeks of training for the contestants so far and they had been taught about catwalk modelling, photoshoots, social etiquette, fashion styling and been educated on charities.
The contestants have been given charities they will be working with over the coming weeks until crowning, with the pageant aiming to raise more than $30,000 for Love Soup Rotorua, Rotorua Hospice, Special Olympics, the Arts Village and Rotorua SPCA.
This weekend, training would focus on hairstyling and stage performance, he said.
Mr WiRepa said the Miss Rotorua contestants had been invited to be a part of Harcourts Dancing with the Stars tonight, where they will be officially launched.
"I look forward to the impact the pageant will make on these young women's lives."
He said tickets and tables for the crowning on September 16 were selling fast.
"I encourage people to come to Miss Rotorua 2017 because this will be the most glamorous and romantic event of the year."
Mr WiRepa said this year's pageant would be dedicated to the late Maureen Waaka, a former a former Miss New Zealand, and would also highlight the legacy of other beauty queens from Rotorua.
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Judges
Sandy Leo is a business owner and pageant industry expert.
She judges multiple prestigious pageants across New Zealand, and is looking for a winner with a unique personality.
Patric Seng is an international model agent based in Auckland.
His models grace the runways in shows such as New Zealand Fashion Week, Trelise Cooper, Trish Peng, and Kharl WiRepa. Mr Seng will be looking for a woman of elegance and grace.
Fiona Tarlton is social royalty in the Auckland socialite scene.
She is also a fashion icon and sits front row at all the top designer shows.
Ms Tarlton is looking for a contestant with intelligence.
Gigi Pikinga is an international makeup artist and works for Miss Rotorua sponsors Samala Cosmetics.
He has worked with the Miss Universe organisation, top New Zealand designers, and has had his work published in Vogue Italia.
He is looking for a Miss Rotorua who is humble but polished.
Anne Batley Burton is the 'Champagne Lady' of the Real Housewives of Auckland.
Ms Batley Burton is a business owner and a social activist for cats.
She is looking for a Miss Rotorua who loves animals and serving the community.
Hannah Tamaki is notorious for her work in reshaping the community and diluting gang culture amongst New Zealand.
She not only works among youth and Maori, but also heads the legacy programme designed to encourage women to be the best version of themselves.
Ms Tamaki will be looking for a lady who wants to inspire and be a voice for other wahine.