Pharmacist's sexy stage presence seals Mr India NZ title

Mr India NZ winner Jay Singh blows kisses to his fans. Picture / Geoff Dale

Cheers and whistles from a jubilant crowd marked the crowning of the new Mr India New Zealand at the weekend.

Hamilton pharmacist Jay Singh was named winner of the contest in front of a crowd of 2300 at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old took the title ahead of 15 other finalists, including runner-up Jeetesh Mistry and third place-getter Roshan Moorjani.

The task of choosing the country's sexiest Indian man fell to a panel of judges, but they had some help, with audience votes accounting for 30 per cent of the final tally.

Event organiser Prakash Mani said Mr Singh's manner set him apart from other contestants.

"He displayed great stage confidence," he said.

Mr Mani said the competition's focus was Indian culture in New Zealand, and Mr Singh talked articulately about integrating into life here while expressing his pride for the country he left 15 years ago.

The Mr India New Zealand contest is in its third year and attracting growing numbers of entries and spectators each year.

Mr Mani said Saturday's audience was the best so far.

"The atmosphere was really happening. The crowd wouldn't stop cheering for the guys."

The entertainment, which included a dance group called Bollywood Grooves, was also deemed a great success.