NZ entrant Andy Derleth has won Mr Gay World

“He is a non-pretentious, friendly and generous person with great ideas and wisdom, who lives within his means and discipline and true to his words,” Linn says from Auckland, where he has been closely following news of the competition in South Africa.

“He worked extra hard in thorough preparations for the Mr Gay World 2012 contest and he truly deserved to win the title,” Linn says.

“I take my pride to be his long term partner and gay community and NZ as a whole should be proud of him.”

Plans are underway for a grand airport welcome when Derleth returns home, as well as a celebration at K’ Rd’s Family Bar, which was a major supporter of the Mr Gay NZ 2012 contest, along with GayNZ.com.