HIV-positive man wins Mr Gay New Zealand

Charlie Tredway, Mr Gay New Zealand winner for 2017.

A man living with HIV will represent Kiwis on the world stage after being crowned Mr Gay New Zealand.

Charlie Tredway, 33, won the competition after 10 finalists were put through their paces at the Big Gay Out in Auckland on Sunday.

Tredway, from Auckland, works for the New Zealand Aids Foundation, and was emotional after his win.

"I'm just really overwhelmed, never in a million years," he said.

Cody Jarvie from Rotorua finished second, with Wellington's Alexander Kachfi coming in third.

The finalists for Mr Gay NZ 2017 along with the judges, councillor Richard Hills, Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett.

Tredway said he was "just thrilled" to be able to represent the country at the Mr Gay World Finals in Spain in May.

"The community got behind me and I've run out of words."

Last year's winner, Bernard Lee, said Tredway will be a "tremendous ambassador" for New Zealand.

"Charlie has been really strong across the whole competition including the public vote and charity sections where he ranked highest out of all of the finalists."

This year's Big Gay Out was focused on the Aids Foundation's mission to end new HIV infections by 2025.