This is 29-year-old Justin Savage, who'll represent Aotearoa in the Worldwide Mr. Gay 2010 pageant, happening in Norway next weekend. "I live in Surry Hills in Sydney, Australia," the handsome nightclub event manager admits. "I've been here eight years, but I was born in Taranaki and lived in Hamilton most of my life. "I love being Kiwi, and although I have chosen to live abroad due to work and the climate, I still feel a strong connection to my home country," he explains. "I travelled for the last six months around the world and it made me realise how much the rest of the world loves us in New Zealand. We are friendly, fun loving nation who defiantly knows how to have a good time where ever we are." The Search for Mr. Gay World Mr. Gay New Zealand Justin Savage (photo by Shannon Boh) Justin says he was nominated by friends and then went through an interview process to become Mr. Gay New Zealand. Along with the guys' obvious aesthetic qualities, the contest aims to find an ambassador who can speak out for gay equality on the global stage. The winner will have the opportunity to travel to various countries to support LGBT organisations and causes. Irish security guard Max Kryzanowski won last year's inaugural Mr. Gay World pageant in a resort high in the Canadian mountains. This year's show in Norway's capital Oslo features thirty guys from countries on every continent. "I'm looking forward to meeting all the other contestants, learning how gay life for them is in their country, competing, growing as a person and most of all visiting the beautiful city of Oslo," Justin tells GayNZ.com. Mr. Gay World doesn't just involve one night of pageantry. The four-day event includes a range of 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. "To be a great contender for Mr. Gay World you need to be confident, caring, and a good role model for others," Justin adds. "To possess these qualities you need to be happy in your own skin, love who you are and be a happy, loving person. I feel I am all of these, I am kind, caring and treat others how I would like to be treated. "I want to be Mr. Gay World to show the gay and straight community that it's ok to be gay and it shouldn't be a struggle. We should all live our lives to the fullest and be the best we can be." Justin needs your help. To vote for him in the People's Choice section of the contest - and read more about Mr. Gay New Zealand - visit the official Worldwide Mr. Gay 2010 website. A video presentation from the pageant's 2010 home city Oslo, made for last year's Canadian hosts, is shown below. Matt Akersten - 5th February 2010