Oh baby, you've got what it takes

Rangimarie McColl, with big sister Keitiria yesterday, has bounced aside other contestants to win this year's national title. Picture / Martin Sykes

When Rangimarie McColl isn't blowing loud raspberries or pulling her socks off and stuffing them into her mouth, the 8-month-old is taking the baby world by storm.

The cute tot from Orakei beat four other finalists, from a total pool of 3000 entries nationwide, to win the 2006 Johnson's Baby of the Year competition at St Lukes Westfield shopping centre yesterday afternoon.

But looks alone weren't enough to secure the coveted first place. Personality was paramount and the five finalists, who were picked by the public through online voting, were also judged on how healthy looking and happy they were.

TV3 presenter Carolyn Robinson had the task of judging the winner. "They were all beautiful but there was just something about Rangimarie. She just jumped out at me. She is such a lovely, friendly, sociable baby."

Otherwise known as "Boing Boing", because of her love of bouncing, Rangimarie was entered into the competition by her 18-year-old sister Keitiria.

"Mum was a bit uncertain about entering her so I decided to go for it. Rangimarie is so cute and happy.," she said.

Rangimarie's mother, also Rangimarie, said she was overjoyed by the win, describing the tot as "cheeky and sociable" while dad Rod was similarly over the moon with the win.

The win netted a Sony DVD Handycam and a $5000 donation to Starship children's hospital.