Country music artists from around New Zealand are competing for prizes at the prestigious NZ Country Music Star Awards this weekend.

Previous winners have used their win at the NZ Country Music Star Awards as a stepping stone to launch successful singing careers, both in New Zealand and Australia, with Dennis Marsh and Mike Roycroft making a name for themselves in the entertainment industry.

Robbin Durbin from Te Aroha performing at the auditions today. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

On offer is a total prize pool of $6700, with contestants competing in various groups and categories.

Auditions are taking place today. The highest scoring acts will be selected to appear on the Premier Finals Concert, to be held at the Bethlehem College of Performing Arts tomorrow at 1pm.

Next year the current NZCM Star Awards Committee will be handing the reins over to a new-look committee to be led by Michael Tipping.

'Michael and his wife Ashley are well-known country entertainers and recording artists Coopers Run,” says NZ Country Music Star Awards convenor Merv McEnteer.

'We have been fortunate in securing the services of Bacchus showband, and we will have guitarist and vocalist extraordinaire Lance Murch to entertain us with a guest spot at the Premier Finals Concert.”

Tickets can be purchased at the door: $25 for adults or $20 if you produce your TECT card.

Lee Johns from Matamata.

Jan MacPherson from Kamo.

Viki Smith from Te Aroha.

Rae Carton from Hastings.