Hamilton beauty wins babes battle

A Hamilton girl has taken out the New Zealand final of an inaugural pub beauty pageant.

Battle of the Babes organiser Andrew Featherstone said Hamilton girl Brittany Loran MacDonald beat 29 other finalists to win the New Zealand final of the competition last night.

He described the event was "excellent''.

"It was a really successful night, everybody [was] happy, it was all good.''

"It was quite a good turnout, there was just a little bit over 100, it wasn't massive, but it was good, it was a great atmosphere,'' Mr Featherstone said.

"Overall it was a successful show and all the models, even the ones that didn't win, seemed to enjoy themselves.''

Ms MacDonald will represent New Zealand at the world final of the competition in Hong Kong, Mr Featherstone said.

Second place was won by Aucklander Brooke Lilly Naismith, while the second runners up was tied between Skylar Price from Wellington and Shard McNeill from Auckland.

The pageant attracted controversy when transgender contestant Amy Brosnahan was told she couldn't enter because she wasn't born a girl.

Transgender contestant Amy Brosnahan. Photo / Chris Loufte

However the organisers backed down after Amy approached the Human Rights Commission and Northland lawyer and member of TransAdvocates, Kelly Ellis, about the situation.

Amy ended up making it to the final, and placed in the top 15, Mr Featherstone said.

"Amy did well. She obviously didn't win, but she did well and looked like she was enjoying herself,'' he said.