A Wairarapa lass may yet claim this year's Miss Tui title.
Masterton's Vicky Paine has been named as one of the competition's eight finalists earlier this week.
Miss Paine, 20, who is finishing her studies in therapeutic massage, said she has wanted to be a Miss Tui since she was 16.
Originally from England, Miss Paine has lived in Masterton since 2004 and has also wanted to be a model from a young age.
"You see the Tui girls on TV and they're very inspirational," she said.
"I just woke up one day and I was like 'stuff it, I'm just going to do it'."
She said the competition had been "nerve-racking" so far, although she has had fun completing her challenges.
This included taking a photo with a famous person (Ma'a Nonu) and sneaking Tui into a place it shouldn't be (the library).
Miss Paine said she was a Wairarapa girl at heart, and hoped she could win it for the region this year. "I lived in Wellington for a year and I hated it," she said.
Tui brand manager William Papesch was impressed with Miss Paine and the way she drummed up votes and support.
"All that's standing in her way now for the Miss Tui 2012 crown are two new challenges ... who knows, the next Miss Tui might be from Masterton," he said.
Miss Paine will be competing for the title with Tina Sharp (Fielding), Krystal-Leigh Shortland (Palmerston North), Jozien Hannah (Opunake), Gabriela McCormack (Christchurch), Rosemary Brunt (Porirua), Julia Hope (Dunedin) and Amber Appletini (Palmerston North).
Miss Tui will be crowned on May 30.
She will receive $2000 and a year's supply of Tui.
“All of this is a positive step forward, but now we need the next one."