Mr Gay NZ 2011 Aaron Comis It's that time again! After Mr Gay New Zealand 2011 Aaron Comis' success in the Philippines, GayNZ.com has been asked to find a sexy Kiwi human rights champion to fly the New Zealand flag in South Africa in April, competing at the Mr Gay World 2012 pageant. This is an incredible opportunity to represent New Zealand on the world stage and what you love about being out in this country - and guess what? Your flights to Johannesburg and accommodation are paid for!!! "The delegate chosen to represent his peers on a global stage will not only have the inner beauty of confidence, self assurance, charisma and natural leadership abilities but he will also take pride in his outward beauty," say the Mr Gay World crew. Mr Gay World doesn't just involve one night of pageantry. The four-day event includes a range of fun and challenging indoor and outdoor activities to ensure the judges get chances to assess each candidate on qualities such as leadership, communication, compassion and positive attitude. This competition is one of the most publicised gay contests in the world. Mr Gay World 2011 Francois Nel The current Mr Gay World 2011 titleholder is Francois Nel from Pretoria, South Africa, with South Africa winning a record second time in Manila. Francois was crowned in the Philippines on March 13, 2011. The previous South African winner in 2010 was Charl van den Berg, winning in Oslo, Norway. In 2009, the winner was Max Krzyzanowski from Ireland who won in Whistler, Canada. The mission of Mr Gay World is to advance national and international gay rights through education and public performance. It creates authentic leaders who will take responsibility, not only in his own community but on a global stage, speaking out for equal rights by inspiring those around him. The winner is a genuine and positive role model that will champion equality and diversity in the media both gay and mainstream. The winner of Mr Gay NZ 2012 will receive expert guidance from Mr Gay NZ 2011 Aaron Comis, who is heading the judging panel in the search for his successor. Comis finished 4th runner-up at the global pageant and took out the title of Mr Photogenic. We're making things a bit different this year, by calling for video entries along with the usual pictures and bios – and the top contenders will be showcased at a final at Auckland's Caluzzi in mid-January, where the judges will choose the ultimate winner. Comis is clear on what the judges will look for: "Being Mr Gay NZ in 2011 was truly an honour for me. Now we are looking for someone that will make us proud in 2012, someone that is not afraid to stand up, fight for human rights, make our community proud and showcase the very best side of gay life in this beautiful country that is New Zealand. "The winner must be comfortable in their own skin, strong, a good leader, community minded, stay grounded, humble, true to who they are and have an understanding that the true reward in being Mr Gay New Zealand is what they can do for the community not the other way around." Find out more about the Mr Gay World contest here on its official website HOW TO ENTER Keen to represent New Zealand at the Mr Gay World pageant in South Africa from April 4-8? If you can be in Auckland on the evening of January 12th, make sure you're in the running. Get out and make a video showing us why you should be Mr Gay NZ! Send us a link along with your best photos to news@gaynz.com telling us your full name, age, height, home city, type of job you do, and a little more about yourself – including why you think you'd make a great ambassador for gay New Zealand and why you are a human rights defender. Email us soon – we'll close entries on 4 January 2012. There will be an event hosted by Caluzzi in Auckland on Thursday 12 January, where the winner of the trip to South Africa will be decided by our panel of judges!!! GayNZ.com - 22nd December 2011