HIV Positive Man Wins Mr Gay New Zealand

For Immediate Release

HIV Positive Man Wins Mr Gay New Zealand

CROWNED AT ENDING HIV BIG GAY OUT IN AUCKLAND YESTERDAY

An Auckland man that is living with HIV and devotes his life to HIV advocacy and community awareness has won the 2017 Mr. Gay New Zealand title.

Charlie Tredway won the competition after the ten finalists were put through an extensive array of activities to find out who will represent the country at the Mr. Gay World Finals in Spain in May.

Tredway, 33, works with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation as a Community Engagement Officer. Tredway was announced the winner onstage at the Ending HIV Big Gay Out in Auckland on Sunday.

Tredway was first place with Cody Jarvie (Rotorua) in second and Alexander Kachfi (Wellington) in third.

Straight after the announcement, Tredway was visibly emotional.

"I'm just really overwhelmed, never in a million years," Tredway explained about the win.

"I thought Alexander [Kachfi] was going to take it out but I'm just thrilled.

"The community got behind me and I've run out of words."

2016 Winner Bernard Lee said Tredway will be a tremendous ambassador for New Zealand on the World Stage.

“Charlie has been really strong across the whole competition including the public vote and charity sections where he ranked highest out of all of the finalists,” Lee said.

“His work with the NZAF and the Ending HIV campaigns will complement all of the work he will do as an ambassador for New Zealand on the world stage.”

Find out all about the competition at www.mrgaynewzealand.com.au

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