Celebrity judges announced for Harcourts Dancing with the Stars

Donna Bates and Justin Nichols perform in last year's Dancing with the Stars. Photo/File

A celebrity-studded line-up has been announced for Rotorua's Harcourts Dancing with the Stars judging panel with just three weeks to go until the big night.

The competition is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Rotorua Hospice and pits local couples against each other on stage.

Television personality and former professional ballroom dancer Hayley Holt will be returning as a judge, something she was looking forward to.

"It's a pretty amazing event actually, like a very professional event, you guys do it well down there.

"I just can't wait to come down."

Miss Holt, a Green party candidate in this year's general election, would be looking for a good partnership and something entertaining.

"I want to see someone I can really tell is enjoying themselves."

Hayley Holt, ballroom dancer and television personality. Photo/Supplied

She will be joined on the judging panel by Rotorua born d'Artagnan Kennedy who was part of New Zealand's Dancing with the Stars television programme.

Mr Kennedy is a member of the New Zealand Federation of Dance Teachers.

He trains dancers of various ages and levels and is involved in the competitive dance scene as an adjudicator, competition organiser and scrutineer.

d'Artagnan Kennedy, ballroom dance teacher and adjudicator. Photo/Supplied

International model and TV star Colin Mathura-Jeffree said the night looked like good fun.

Best known as host of New Zealand's Hottest Home Baker, judge on New Zealand's Next Top Model and guest judge on America's Next Top Model this will be his first time judging in Rotorua.

"They requested me a few times, but it all just came down to timing," he said.

"It's great to see them doing something like this and it's so community based.

"It's a double win, because hospice is such a good cause."

Mr Mathura-Jeffree said after 25 years in the industry he knew good showmanship.

"While I know that it isn't professional I would like to see them really perform their character."

Colin Mathura-Jeffree, international model and television personality. Photo/Supplied

Journalist Heather du Plessis-Allan rounds out the judging panel.

She is a weekly columnist for the Herald on Sunday but is best known for hosting TV3's Story and reporting for TVNZ 1's news.

Heather du Plessis-Allan, journalist. Photo/Supplied

Actor and presenter Miriama Smith will also be joining this year's event helping MC Tamati Coffey as co-host for the evening.

Smith has graced New Zealand's television screens for more than 25 years and presented shows including NZ House and Garden, the World of Wearable Arts Awards and was a judge on NZ's Got Talent.

New Zealand actress and presenter Miriama Smith will be co-host at Harcourts Dancing with the Stars. Photo/File

Hospice Rotorua funding and development manager Jan Morgan said she was super excited to have such a well known actress as Smith on board. She said Coffey would keep the show running on time which he did with complete efficiency last year.

"I believe the judging panel is well balanced this year with two professional ballroom dancers, a contestant in one of the television Dancing with the Stars series and a very witty journalist who will tell it like it is."

Harcourts Dancing with the Stars will be held on Saturday, August 5 at the Energy Events Centre. Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.nz.