Miss Rotorua launched with more than 40 contestants registering

Miss Rotorua 2018 has been launched with more than 40 girls competing for this year's crown.

Pageant organiser Kharl WiRepa said it had been exciting to see and hear of the hopes and dreams of contestants at Sunday's launch at the Blue Baths.

"It's fantastic to see we have almost doubled the number of contestants – in 2017 we had 23, this year we have had 41 girls come forward.

"What's also been great to see is the ethnic diversity of contestants. We have a lot of girls from a lot of different cultures which, I believe, says we are appealing to a wide range of the Rotorua community."

Nehsha Moynihan Miss Rotorua 2017, Brooke Houia Miss Asia Pacifica 2017, Leonie Pargeter Mrs New Zealand and Presley Stevens Miss Teen New Zealand. Photo/Supplied

Included at the launch were 2018 contestants as well as last year's Miss Rotorua winner Nehsha Moynihan and Miss Teen Rotorua Promise Royal, Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick, sponsors, locals and pageant organisers.

"We had a fabulous afternoon, it was a great way to kick start this year's event."

WiRepa said the 41 contestants, as well as this year's celebrity judges, would be announced through the

Rotorua Daily Post

.

Moynihan agreed the launch had been a positive event.

"There's actually quite a lot of work being part of a pageant, so it was great to see some of the girls who had entered last year prepared to come back and give it another go," Moynihan said.

"They obviously believe it is a good event overall if they're putting their hands up again."

She said she had been happy to see the number of contestants vying for the different titles.

WiRepa said the next seven weeks would be a busy time for the entrants.

"Fundraising is a very important part of Miss Rotorua and this year we are working across multiple organisations. They are Rotorua Salvation Army, the New Zealand Cat Foundation, Movement Rotorua, the Special Olympics Rotorua and the Rotorua Māori Wardens.

"The girls will be split into groups and they will be fundraising toward our goal of $50,000."

As well as fundraising, contestants will undertake etiquette training.

The Miss Rotorua 2018 crowning will take place at the Blue Baths on September 15 at 6pm.