Deborah Lambie and Henali Patel, of Dunedin, and Kristie Leonard, of Balclutha, were selected from 80 semifinalists during contest boot camps in Auckland and Wellington recently.
At the end of this month they will travel to Auckland for a mystery international retreat, during which the 20 finalists spend about a week at an overseas location.
The bikini component of the competition will be judged overseas, and contestants will also prepare for the final, which will be held in Auckland on October 5 and be broadcast live on television.
The winner will eventually travel to Moscow for the Miss Universe contest.
Miss Lambie (22), a fourth-year Otago medical student, said it was a ''really nice surprise'' to be selected as a finalist.
''It's very exciting. The girls at the workshop were all really nice, so it must have been hard for the judges.''
She was focused on making the most of the competition.
''I just really want to enjoy it and learn as much as I can.''
Miss Patel (19), a first-year Otago law and psychology student, said the semifinal boot camp was an eye-opening experience.
''It was definitely surprising [to be selected], having never done anything like this before. But I felt confident at the workshop and was hoping I would go through,'' she said.
Miss Leonard (23), a teacher, said she was happy just to experience the Auckland boot camp and was also surprised to be selected as a finalist.
''I have no idea what to expect,'' she said.
