Roll up! It's Miss Universe Levin

ROSS GIBLIN/The Dominion Post

PROVINCIAL BEAUTY: Miss Horowhenua Priyani Puketapu in Levin, the new home of the glamorous Miss Universe New Zealand contest.

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The glamorous Miss Universe New Zealand final is swapping the bright lights of cosmopolitan Auckland for the provincial charm of heartland Horowhenua.

In a surprise move, the hotly-contested celebration of feminine beauty is ditching the Sky City Tower, Harbour Bridge and Viaduct Basin, for the delights of Levin's A&P Showgrounds, public bars and tree-lined main street.

National director Val Lott said that befitting this year's theme of "small-town charm", Levin would host the final, in April.

The decision reflected the town's positive community spirit and the fact Horowhenua and Manawatu staged the only regional competitions this year.

Horowhenua has traditionally been a beauty pageant stronghold last year's Miss Horowhenua, Samantha Powell of Paraparaumu, scooped the Miss Universe New Zealand title.

"We are really looking forward to holding it in Horowhenua it is a wonderful opportunity for lots of people to see many beautiful spots in the area I did not even know about," Mrs Lott said.

After a five-year absence, Miss Universe was relaunched in New Zealand in 2006 and had been staged in glitzy Auckland ever since.

However, in earlier years, the show had toured the country even being held in Levin's once-regal Regent Theatre in the 1960s.

The competition had not escaped the effects of the recession.

"Things have been tough this year. Some contestants are finding it hard to find sponsors because their regions did not hold competitions," Mrs Lott said. "We desperately need two or three sponsors."

Organisers hoped to have 12 contestants this year.

The move to Levin was welcomed by reigning Miss Universe New Zealand title holder, Ms Powell.

"This will be huge for the community and hopefully we will have a lot more Wellington and Horowhenua entrants and more local sponsors on board."

Mayor Brendan Duffy said it would be great exposure for the district and he would be sending an invitation to Miss Universe's owner, Donald Trump.

Kapiti-Horowhenua was also chosen as the launching pad for the comeback of classic Kiwi television game show It's In The Bag, shot in Otaki last month.

- © Fairfax NZ News