The hunt is on for Mr Perfect New Zealand

Auckland DJ Karn Hall is being tipped as a potential star for the the Kiwi Bachelor reality show. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

A hit-list of hunks is taking shape as eligible Kiwi bachelors prove keen to find true love on a reality TV show.

The producer of The Bachelor NZ says a number of single men shoulder-tapped by the show have indicated they are ready to take the romantic plunge in front of the camera.

The show, due to start shooting early next year, follows an internationally franchised format in which attempts are made to spark a relationship between a dashing bachelor and one of a group of women vying for his affections.

Show producer Anna Lynch said prospective bachelors were being pooled from all over New Zealand and further afield.

Producers were bypassing traditional casting methods. Instead they were shoulder-tapping potential candidates through the television company's own networks by email and direct approaches.

"We've gone far and wide," said Lynch.

This included men who were overseas but might be intending to come back to New Zealand. "We won't stop until we've found him. It's a very specific thing that we're looking for, and we'll only know it when we find it."

Lynch wouldn't reveal any of the candidates, but said some names kept cropping up for the star role.

The Herald on Sunday understands those who have been identified as the potential bachelor include Auckland DJs Karn Hall and Jarrod Phillips, and social media expert Tom Bates, who previously dated TV3's Samantha Hayes.

Tom Bates and Jarrod Phillips. Photo / NZME.

Hall, the 35-year-old former GeorgeFM and JuiceTV host with model looks, is well-known around town and single. But he was tight-lipped over his dealings with the TV show.

"I'm not at liberty to say anything," he said.

The show's talent spotters had also been in touch with several modelling agencies seeking the show's man of its dreams.