Perfect women going country

WANAKA’S Perfect Woman competition is moving out of the town — but only 10 minutes down the road.

The 2017 competition will be held at the Luggate Hotel over Labour Weekend, the first time the event has been held outside Wanaka.

In the past the event has attracted national and international media coverage for its unusual set of tasks, which have included skinning a possum, backing a trailer and applying makeup without a mirror.

Competition founder Stew Burt said this year’s competition would be slightly different from previous years, fitting in with the change of venue, which had a ‘‘rural flavour’’.

In recent years the competition has focused on more ‘‘feminine’’ tasks but it still was not easy becoming the perfect woman.

Last year’s winner, Rachel Rule, of Tokanui, had to beat 11 others, impressing the judges with her helicopter piloting, knifethrowing and fencing skills.

Established in 2002 by Mr Burt and his late wife Liz, the competition has been held at the Bullock Bar in Wanaka annually, apart from 2005 and 2015.

Originally the competition was conceived as a way to drum up business for the Burts’ bar during what was a quiet part of the year.

The event is also a fundraiser for the Canlive Cancer Trust, which was set up by the couple.

Money raised during the competition is used for two annual retreats near Wanaka for cancer sufferers and also provides financial support for local cancer patients.