NZ's Next Top Model: Altered images row | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Digitally altered photos of New Zealand's Next Top Model contestants have caused another stir for the popular television show.

Publicity shots of some of the contestants - including Rotorua's Amelia Gough - have revealed the girls had been slimmed down through photo enhancement. The move has been slammed as "unacceptable" by former Miss New Zealand, Rotorua's Maureen Waaka.

She says the changes don't set good examples for young girls who watch the programme.

According to image handling experts a number of photos revealed significant alterations in the model-hopefuls' appearances.

Amelia's individual photo showed her right thigh had been altered to make her appear thinner than she was.

This comes just days after the TV3 show was criticised for near-naked photos of the top model contestants during a photo shoot in Rotorua.

Local beauty and former Miss New Zealand Maureen Waaka said the concept of digitally enhanced photos was unacceptable and did not set a good example for the younger generation who wanted to sculpt their own body shapes.

"It takes out the element of natural beauty. If you wanted to enhance photos you should just get a mannequin," Mrs Waaka said. "I'm really not a supporter of digital enhanced photos and think we shouldn't portray ourselves like that. I frown on anything like that being made acceptable."

However, TV3 publicist Jade Rook said the photos only had minor changes and it was standard practice for the network.

Rotorua's Shaqiel Daniela, 17, said although she was a big fan of the hit show and planned to audition next year, she thought the false images were not a very good idea. "It's not showing the true images of what the girls actually look like."