X Factor's in town now's your time to shine

The X Factor NZ roadshow arrives in Wairarapa today, with producers hoping to see the best of the region's talent at pre-auditions in Masterton.

Nervous hopefuls are expected to queue at Masterton Town Hall this morning for their chance to make it through to the television stage and the auditions proper.

Publicist Rose Swale has said she expects it will be a "really, really exciting day".

The X Factor NZ is visiting 27 locations to find contestants for the first local version of the global television phenomenon.

"We're really really enjoying it," she said.

"We're enjoying going to the smaller cities and towns and so far we've been uncovering some diamonds in the rough and I'm sure Wairarapa will be no different."

Mrs Swale said the show wanted to go everywhere in New Zealand and visit as many rural areas as possible to ensure that as many aspiring performers an possible get an opportunity to impress.

"We want everyone in New Zealand to feel a part of it. It's not necessarily a numbers game, even if there's 10 people in Masterton one of them could be our first winner," Mrs Swale said.

Tthe atmosphere at the pre-auditions had been overwhelming so far.

"We have friends and family [of the participants] coming along and it's a really neat atmosphere. Even if people aren't interested in participating they are welcome to drop down to the town hall and sample the atmosphere for themselves," Mrs Swale said.

The X Factor New Zealand will include Kiwi-born pop star Daniel Bedingfield and Australian Idol 2009 winner Stan Walker as two of the four judges.

Two female judges have yet to be announced.

Dominic Bowden, the former host of New Zealand Idol, will host the show.

Registration for the X Factor NZ pre-auditions will begin at Masterton Town Hall at 10am and organisers are encouraging participants to get there early as there is likely to be queues.