Whangarei Top Models still in the frame

There was more leg on show than at a Karaka yearling sale and nearly as many nervous snickers as dozens of Top Model hopefuls tried out at Forum North in Whangarei.
You could tell a few in the line-up were about to bolt. The air was charged with energy and high spirits and nervous tension. The starters were looking each other up and down out of the side of their eyes.
"It sounds like a cliche," one contestant told the preliminary judging panel at the Whangarei audition for NZ's Next Top Model yesterday afternoon, "but modelling's what I've always wanted to do."
The judges probably heard it a dozen times before teabreak during the four hours of auditions at Forum North. And they had probably heard it in Tauranga, Auckland, Napier, New Plymouth, Nelson, Wellington - everywhere the search has been on for girls with the model-X factor.
In Whangarei, some of the girls were in groups; mates trying out together or with friends along for support. Some were on their own. One schoolgirl there on her own was chewing her bottom lip so nervously someone should have warned her to stop. Then again, maybe she was trying to get the Jamie Oliver bee-stung mouth look.
Two glammed-up young women had driven up from Auckland, having been unable to get to the auditions in that city over the weekend.
Fashion store assistant Robyn MacLean was there with her mum. She wore a gorgeous smile and a stylish outfit, and seemed so sweet it was hard to believe she might end up living in "The House" with a bunch of ambitious spitfires. Eighteen years old now, Robyn couldn't audition for the last series because she was not tall enough. "I've grown this much," she giggles, holding thumb and index finger slightly apart.
With Robyn's permission, NZNTM publicist Polly Viccars lets the Northern Advocate in to watch the process. First Robyn auditioned in front of the team of judges, who liked her. She punched the air in delight when they told her she was over the first hurdle. Then it was on to an interview and film/photo session with executive producer John McDonald.
A few minutes later he was telling Robyn she was in, this far. She's now one of more than 100 girls waiting for Sunday to hear if they are in the group of 13 who move into "The House" and live in the public eye for weeks, dreaming of modelling.