Suzanne Paul earned the Starship Foundation $142,879. Photo / Neil MacKenzie
Television New Zealand's popular variety show Dancing with the Stars raised nearly $275,000 for charity this year.
TVNZ general manager of programming Jane Wilson said the money was collected through public votes during the series.
Series winner Suzanne Paul, who impressed the judges as an "outstanding performer", earned
her charity the Starship Foundation $142,879.65 - almost $100,000 more than her nearest rival.
April Ieremia was first to exit the series earning $1002.35 for the Breast Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, after the heavily criticised Wanganui mayor Michael Laws survived the first cut because of public support.
However, it was a short-lived respite and Laws was voted off next after setting a new low for total points scored, gaining only nine points out of a possible 40. He earned his charity the Cancer Society of New Zealand $3346.32.
Frank Bunce proved a dancing dunce and was next to go, after earning the Manukau Community Foundation $5668.94.
He was followed by Paul Holmes who consistently failed to impress the judges. Holmes earned $12,080.34 for Paralympics New Zealand.
Greer Robson was next to depart, earning $19,416.97 for Parents Inc.
Semifinalist Brendon Pongia followed, despite gaining the first scores of 10 from two judges for a waltz. In his time on the show he brought in $46,621.84 for his charity Cure Kids.
Suzanne Paul and Megan Alatini battled it out in the final with Paul beating the energetic Alatini.
Alatini's charity, Youthline, will receive $43,888.46.
Ms Wilson said the series had raised more than $1 million for New Zealand charities in its three years on air.
"Once again, New Zealand viewers embraced the glitz and the glamour of Dancing With The Stars. We'd like to thank everyone who voted, and everyone who took part in the show."
- NZPA
