"It's taken it from being a pub sport to a full on competition and it's moving towards a professional aspect as well. It's lifted the exposure, the level of play and everything really. The guys who have made it through are buzzing to be in the finals.
"There's nothing like it in New Zealand. We had superheroes and Where's Wally and all the classics.
"We had about 30-40 180s throughout the tournament and I think the averages were between 90-95.
"Most of the PDC pros will be averaging about 100, so it's just beneath that but it's also steadily increasing as well.
"Over the course of the tournament it's got better and better and I think we'll see some really high averages for the final."
The final four will compete in two semi-finals before playing the final on the same night as the competition switches from a group to a straight knockout format.
The semi-finals kick off with Rob Szabo playing Warren Parry before Craig Caldwell faces Peter Hunt.
Hudson said it's been interesting to see how the players are embracing the bigger crowds and the extra exposure darts is getting in New Zealand.
"They've absolutely loved it. The boys are used to playing in front of a crowd where it's just dart players at a dart hall, so about 30-40 people.
"Some of the boys have played a few big tournaments but they've been making up the numbers a little bit - playing against the likes of Phil Taylor and whatever.
"There was a lot lightheartedness but when the prize money on the line, they realized they really had to perform. The mood with the players was a lot more tense than it had been."
