"A few people don't agree with the idea of a pageant and think it's just about your looks, when really, especially with Miss Rotorua, it's not."
Ms Brandt was so busy with the work she was doing with the pageant, which included learning leadership skills and charity work, that she didn't have time to get down about the comments, she said.
"I don't have time for it to upset me, we've got so much love and support that it greatly outweighs that."
She thought the pageant, which has been brought back for the first time in more than a decade, had modernised but people may not realise that.
"People don't really know what it's about. Perhaps they can form an educated opinion."
Ms Brandt and her fellow contestants had so far raised $10,000 for Rotorua charities and the aim was to raise $30,000 by crowning night, said organiser Kharl WiRepa.
The criticism the contestants were receiving was "immature", Mr WiRepa said.
"Calling them names like fake, or other vulgar names which you probably can't print."
The contestants were handling it well, and focusing on their charity work.
Mr WiRepa thought pageants had an unfair reputation.
"Our pageant is an educational programme for young women. We provide vocational development, educational and leadership skills.
"We teach our contestants about volunteering and charity work."
The contestants were taught catwalk modelling as well, but this was to help them feel confident on stage, he said.
"It's like a development school to refine women to be the best version of themselves."
Former Bachelor NZ 'bachelorette' and Miss Rotorua contestant Mariana Morrison said the pageant was an opportunity for rangitahi to build confidence and self esteem.
It was not superficial "whatsoever" and was giving younger girls opportunities they wouldn't get otherwise, Ms Morrison said.
"For me personally, my involvement and why I decided to do it, was to use my profile to support the brand itself, to encourage younger women to be inspired and single mums and mothers in general."
