Whanganui contestant Ranginui wins Project Runway challenge

Kerry Ranginui and Judy Gao discuss the unconventional materials challenge on Project Runway NZ. Photo/Supplied

Kerry Ranginui looked anxious when he found himself in a technology recycling centre.

"We don't belong here," he told his fellow contestants on Monday night's episode of Project Runway NZ.

Contestants were faced with the challenge of making two garments that would incorporate items recovered from old electronics.

"It was a daunting prospect because they had to be functional rather than wearable art," Ranginui said on Tuesday.

There was a further shock for the contestants when the show's mentor, Andreas Mikellis, told them they would have to work in pairs.

Ranginui's face lit up when he was told that he would be working with Auckland designer Judy Gao.

"I've got to know her and she comes across as sweet and demure but her designs are very sexy and classy."

The pair got to work on dismantling an old piano keyboard and Ranginui lamented his lack of brute strength.

"The problem is that neither of us is very strong and I'm quite unmanly when it comes to DIY," said Ranginui.

Nevertheless, he and Gao managed to extract plenty of small, shiny components they hand stitched onto a glamorous coat designed by Ranginui.

The judges loved the coat and declared Ranginui the challenge winner.

They were not so keen on Gao's satin jumpsuit worn underneath but were satisfied that she met the brief.

Ranginui who has worked as a pattern maker for Karen Walker for eight years said he was very thankful to have his team mate's support for his design.

"I have never done that much hand stitching and I had callouses on my fingers.

"Judy does a lot of beading work on her designs while as a pattern maker I am not usually involved in that part of the construction."

It has been obvious during the first three episodes of Project Runway that Ranginui knows his way around a workroom better than some other contestants.

"People ask for help and I don't like to see anyone struggling so I was quite generous with my time at first.

"I did start to resent it when I was busy with my own designs but if I had the time to spare it was okay."

Nelson contestant Matt Costello was eliminated after he failed to impress judges with the top he designed to go with Beau Takapu's skirt.

Judge Benny Castles said the garment was "very Star Trek" and looked like something Lieutenant Uhura might wear to a corporate affair.