NZ singer takes out Trans-Tasman award Kiwi country singer Kylie Austin has taken out a major trans-Tasman singing contest. The Auckland-based soloist has won the 13th Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year Award announced at Norfolk Island on Thursday night (May 31, 2007). Ms Austin also captured the award for Most Promising Artist from PVG Productions in Auckland. She receives a cash prize of A$4,000 and the Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year Award trophy as well as A$5,000 worth of recording time at the Peter Van Gent studio. Ms Austin was competing in the awards against five others – three Australian and two New Zealand artists – as part of the Norfolk island Country Music Festival. It’s not the first time a New Zealand singer has taken out the major award. The Trans-Tasman trophy has previously been won by Paul Sharplin of Christchurch and American James Ray, a New Zealand resident.Kylie Austin is a long-standing member of the Eastern Districts Country Music Club in Auckland and is a 2005 graduate of the College of Country Music. She has enjoyed great success both in New Zealand and Australia winning the 2004 Toyota Gympie Muster Talent Search Winner and the 2006 Gold Guitar Awards in Gore as part of the North team versus the South.

She was 2006 New Zealand Country Music Entertainer of the Year Overall Runner Up.