KEY POINTS:
After five days of "model boot camp", the 12 finalists in the Cadbury Dream Model Search took to the runway on Thursday night in the hope of being named the winner.
Elle Gibson, 14, of Whangarei, claimed the title and with it a year's contract with Trump Model Management in New York.
Backstage, a delighted Elle said she was thrilled to have won, as she hugged her fellow competitors, who struggled to hold back their tears of disappointment.
The evening marked the end of a long process for the finalists, who first auditioned two months ago alongside 900 other hopefuls.
C4 presenter Shavaugn Ruakere hosted the evening at Old Sofrana House, which was attended by model scouts, family members and media.
The competition was judged by a panel of six fashion industry insiders including Trump director of scouting Duane Gazi and Lucire editor Jack Yan.
- Flash, NZHERALD
