International supermodel Rachel Hunter is hoping to be the "nice" judge when she begins filming the first season of New Zealand's Got Talent .
Hunter will be joined by UB40 lead singer Ali Campbell and
OpShop front man Jason Kerrison on the Kiwi version of the show
that launched the career of British singer Susan Boyle.
Hunter told Close Up all the judges were going to have different
tastes and feel compassion toward different contestants but it was
her job to be honest.
"Who knows who's going to be the bad judge," said Hunter.
"Thank god these guys are amazing singers. I'll just sit there and be the nice one I guess."
Hunter will be relocating to New Zealand for the TV ONE show, which will begin filming in July.
Fellow Judge Jason Kerrison said he is looking forward to getting "stuck in" to his judging duties.
"We'll you're looking for talent aren't you but what's talent? It's an elusive thing, everyone's trying to put their thumb on what talent is&.but it's going to be about what turns up on the day, what entertains us. It's going to be crap or it's not," Kerrison told Close Up.
Kerrison's involvement in the music industry stretches over more than 20 years. In 2011 he was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music.
OpShop's 2006 single Maybe was the first by a Kiwi band to reach number one on iTunes New Zealand. One Day was named Song of the Year at the 2008 APRA Silver Scroll Awards.
Campbell, founding member of UB40, said he was looking forward to meeting his fellow Judges for the first time and spending time in one of his "favourite places"
"The reason I accepted the job is so I could spend more time in New Zealand," said Campbell.
"I've been coming there since the 1980s and I can't wait to see what talent is there."
UB40 has sold more than 70 million records, notched up four number one singles around the world, and more than 40 Top 40 UK singles.
TVNZ's Jeff Latch, head of TV ONE and TV2 says the judging line up is exciting.
"From what we have already seen of the Toyota Talent Tour, there are a lot of impressive acts in New Zealand. It's fantastic to have a strong judging panel that can share their expertise and contribute to making New Zealand's Got Talent a world class production," he said.
More than 5000 acts have already auditioned to take part in the New Zealand's Got Talent heats which will be filmed in Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland in front of live audiences and the judging panel.