Sweet success for first cowgirl Milkybar Kid

Hinetaapora Short is New Zealand's new Milkybar Kid. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand's newest Milkybar Kid, Hinetaapora Short, likes the taste of fame.

In a world first, the cute blonde from Rotorua, 8, was chosen yesterday as Nestle's first female Kid - which meant lots of newspaper and television interviews in Wellington where the news was announced.

"I've done heaps. It feels awesome."

The Te Kura o Te Koutu student thought there was a big chance she was going to be rich so she started making little plans with her mum Nicki for when her pay packets start rolling in.

"Well, me, my mum and my best friend are going to go shopping in Rotorua. I don't know for what though, just clothes and makeup."

She said she loved her new Wild West get up including spotted cowgirl vest, black stetson and fetching pink neckerchief.

"It's the right size and it's really, really, pretty cool."

Hinetaapora has had to sit on the news since Wednesday, when her parents let her in on the secret. It was one of the hardest things keeping it close to her chest, she said.

Her father Eric, was in Wellington with her yesterday. "Ever since she's found out she's been an uncontrolled bundle of energy, she's been fizzing."

Fluent in te reo and learning Spanish, Hinetaapora said she loved singing and kapa haka.

Hinetaapora will star in the new television commercial early next year.

Milkybar spokesman Jeremy Boucher said Hinetaapora, who received 11,000 votes, was a special youngster.