MEDIACOM-RELEASE-JOHNSON-AND-JOHNSON
Five finalists have been selected from the more than 6,500 entrants in this year's Johnson's Baby of the Year
competition.
The chosen five finalists competing for the $10,000 first prize are:
- Pagan August of South Brighton, Christchurch
- Samantha Devane of Khandallah, Wellington
- Lotta Schultheis of Birkenhead, Auckland
- Gabriela Rocha of Glendowie, Auckland
- Tyla Johnson of Manukau City, Auckland
As well as the grand prize of $10,000 other finalists will receive the following: second place receives $2,000, third
place $1,000, fourth and fifth place each receive $500.
Johnson's Baby Product Manager, Andrew Hrstic is pleased with the level and quality of entries in this year's
competition. "It's great to see that New Zealand continues to produce gorgeous, happy and healthy babies. I can speak
for all the judges when I say it was a tough job selecting this year's finalists. With more than 6,500 babies entered
from around the country, our five finalists have achieved so much already. Any one of them could be our next Johnson's
Baby of the Year," he says.
As a result of the Johnson's Baby of the Year contests both in New Zealand and Australia, the Australian and New
Zealand Children's Cancer Study Group will benefit this year by a donation $35,000 from Johnson & Johnson. The Group is a non-profit, self-funding organisation which works toward the treatment of child cancer. Its
members include top New Zealand and Australian specialists.
The final judging and announcement of the Johnson's Baby of the Year will screen on 5.30 with Jude on Tuesday 20 July
(TV ONE 5.30pm). The segment will feature interviews with the finalists and their families, introduce the judging panel
and reveal the finalists placements.
This year's judging panel includes: Jude Dobson, Johnson & Johnson's Product Manager Andrew Hrstic, Health Services Manager Theresa Coster and Dr Scott Macfarlane, paediatric
oncologist at Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital and President of the Australian and New Zealand Children's Cancer
Study Group.
Members of the public can vote for their favourite by entering the "Top of the Tots" public-vote section of the
competition. This public vote has no bearing on the actual outcome but is a chance for New Zealand to indicate their
favourite.
The finalists' photos and voting details will feature during 5.30 with Jude on (date TBC).
ENDS....