A record number of entries have been received by organisers for the Waiariki Institute of Technology New Zealand Aria singing contest, with a large number of singers from host city Rotorua.
Spokeswoman Alison Perrin said the main competition - the New Zealand Aria over-18 years section - had attracted 45 entries, two more than last year, including one entry from the United Kingdom and two entries from Australia.
This year's competition will be at the Rotorua Convention Centre starting on Friday, November 1. Heats end with the main event on November 3.
Double the number of entries in the under-21 year section have been received this year with 23 singers - almost twice as many entries from 2012 - all vying for the $500 first prize.
Singers in the under-21 section must show a wide range of skills, and are required to enter four category classes - operatic aria, oratorio, leader song and a song of their own choice - which takes each singer around 20-30 minutes .