Harcourts Dancing with the Stars winners have sound advice for this year's dancers

This year's Harcourts Dancing with the Stars winners were sad when the event was over, but have some sound advice for those who take part this year.

Kelly Albrecht and Steve Pinder were 2017's winning couple.

The event was held at the start of August and raised more than $150,000 for Rotorua Community Hospice.

Albrecht said it was quite sad when the dancing finished and it was like a part of her had ended and her calendar became a bit light

"It was a weird feeling ... it was very different and quite hard getting back into the normal mum routine."

She said she missed hanging out, chilling, and laughing with her dance partner Steve Pinder, as well as the social aspect with other dancers and the learning aspect where you challenged yourself.

Albrecht said the photoshoot for the billboards had been quite cool, as everyone was still quite new but thrown into the situation where they had to dress up.

She said the night of the event was a highlight, along with the rehearsal night - "getting to see the whole venue set up, walking on to the stage for the first time, and getting a feel for how crazy the night would be".

Albrecht said it felt "wicked" to be able to raise that much money for Rotorua Community Hospice.

She said it was a great idea holding the event for the third time this year.

"I think it was such a hit last year that it would be almost sad not having it again, since the community get behind it so much. I'm looking forward to it."

Albrecht's advice to those who dance in the fundraiser this year was to have fun, listen to and trust the choreographers, and to have an open mind and put yourself on the line doing something new.

She said taking part had sparked her to pick up an old sport she did as a child - field athletics.

Putting herself out there and doing things she would not normally do had made her get back into it, she said.

Pinder said there were mixed feelings once the event had ended - relief that he had got through it in one piece and disappointment around the fact dancing was going to end.

He said highlights for him were meeting new people and learning some dance moves.

"I was pretty lucky they put me with Kelly. She knew what she was doing and helped me a lot."

He said it was fantastic to have raised so much money for the Rotorua Community Hospice.

"Hospice helps everyone. I think that's why it gets such a great response."

Pinder's advice to those dancing this year - "If you listen to what you're told and practise you will be fine".

"If you're asked to do it, jump at the chance. You won't regret it."

He said he had started going to Cuban Salsa with his wife, Colleen, which he probably would not have done if he did not take part in the event.

The third Harcourts Dancing With the Stars will take place on July 28 at the Energy Events Centre.