A quick word: Nigel Barker

Nigel Barker says it's important to set a good example. Photo / Supplied

There's been a lot of fuss about you being here. Were you expecting New Zealanders to be so into it?

I wasn't sure. You never know how people are going to react but, from the moment we arrived at the airport, there were fans who had apparently waited since five in the morning.

What have you been doing in your down-time other than dodging cameras?

My cousin came up from Wellington with her two children who are the same age as mine - four and one - and another cousin flew over from Sydney. We have been doing family things and eating out. I think our place of choice is SPQR which we have been going to all the time. We took a few trips to Waiheke Island and I ate at the Mudbrick. It had beautiful views and food. I walked in there and, the moment I sat down, someone jumped up and said, "I'm from the local press, can I take your picture?" And I said, "Oh, OK, you people are everywhere." We also walked up Rangitoto, but I haven't been much further than that, though the team has.

Is there anything about NZ that has inspired you creatively?

Oh, for sure. I think one of the things from a photographer's point of view is that the light strikes this country on such an angle, it's so dynamic and beautiful. You can see why Peter Jackson had such an extraordinary time shooting films here and why production company after production company wants to make films here. You have this surreal aura around everything. It's one thing to have a beautiful landscape, it's another to have this beautiful light on it. It's other-wordly.

So how much of New Zealand will we see on the show?

I think you're going to see quite a lot. We've got to make sure it doesn't look like a tourist commercial, I think it's pretty difficult because our cameramen are constantly ooh-ing and ah-ing about what they are shooting.

How important has it been for the girls to trek down here?

They were screaming when they found out they were coming. Our contestants come from all walks of life. Some didn't even have passports - they hadn't travelled out of their state, let alone their country. Some live in urban parts of the US in hard environments. We have one who has a very difficult back-story, who comes from almost the streets, and all of a sudden she is waltzing around in fields of New Zealand where Lord of The Rings hobbits used to hang out.

Has anything stood out about New Zealand style?

One of the most striking things has got to be your Maori population and the way you all mix together so well. When you look at other parts of the world, people often stick to themselves so much. And there's this extraordinary embracing of it - I guess when you look at people like the All Blacks and various other rugged types who were staying in the same hotel as us, the tattoos on some of these guys are extraordinary.

What about what we wear - is anything different about that?

There's an 80s vibe going on. I guess it's a funny time of year - you've got your Christmas parties and are all running around in what looks like prom dresses and yet it's 80 degrees outside [Fahrenheit].

A lot of young creatives or fashionistas out there would consider your job one of the best in the world. Do you have any advice for them?

The main thing is you have got to believe in yourself. If you don't have the confidence in yourself then, really, no one else can. But it's not about thinking you are better, it's knowing you can do it. There's nothing worse than being aloof, too - that can come off as looking like a snob. It's a fine balance. You've got to believe in yourself, be charming and not be afraid to let your inner beauty come out as much as your outer.

If you heard someone was coming on holiday to New Zealand, is there anything you would recommend putting in the suitcase?

A light raincoat. Luckily I did. The day we arrived here it poured down like cats and dogs, we thought the sky was crashing down on us. But since then, it's been very warm and sunny. I think what's interesting about New Zealand weather is that in the sun it's hot and then as soon as you step one centimetre into the shade it's almost cold. Light sweater-y things with hoods are good.

It's humid so anything for the hair?

I don't have any, so I recommend shaving your head.

What are you doing when you are not working on Top Model?

I'm a photographer and film-maker. My latest film is called Generation Free and talks about how we have the ability, at this stage, to create a generation free of paediatric Aids. We travelled to Africa and all around the States to do that. We are always talking on ANTM about how important it is to be a role model not just a fashion model. And, personally, I want to be seen doing things and not just talking about them.