Holly Arrowsmith, of Arrowtown, was the overall winner of the Song Stars singer-songwriter competition held over three nights at the Athenaeum Hall in Arrowtown.
The Saturday night final pulled in about 300 patrons, who judged Miss Arrowsmith the winner with her song Wolves and Moon.
Miss Arrowsmith will now record the song to be played on Classic Hits radio.
The show's producer, Margaret O'Hanlon, said it was in its second year and the competition was once again intense. She hoped the show would continue to develop.
"We got a good crowd this year and I would like to see a better one next year. People were a bit lazy and relaxed about getting their tickets." She conceded that the show would always be in direct competition with rugby viewing on Saturday nights if it was going to be held in winter.
"I like my June slot. June is not a bad place for it to be.
"There is no way to escape rugby, but on Saturday we had the best numbers of all, and die-hard rugby fans can come on the Thursday night."
Both Miss Arrowsmith and third-placed Ruby Baines were from Arrowtown, but Mrs O'Hanlon said the fact the show was held in the town this year would not have affected the voting. She said the pair were extremely talented and Arrowtown people would have driven to Queenstown if it had been held there.
"I think most people take their voting quite seriously. They vote for the songs that are memorable and these songs were exactly that."
Second place went to Maggie Ruddenklau, of Wanaka, and Miss Baines and Eamonn McNicholas, of Ireland, tied for third.
"It was absolutely up with last year, and probably a step forward. Overall, I think this year's talent made it very difficult for the audience to decide."
Mrs O'Hanlon said Queenstown was a difficult place to host a successful event at this time of year, as there were always plenty to choose from, which made it a "challenge and a bit of a struggle".
"I would like everyone to see it, but that takes time, and we want to build on this show.
"I think it's a great event and am happy the people of Queenstown are embracing it."
Miss Arrowsmith will record her song and its radio release is expected in August.
The show's organisers will also put a clip of this year's show on YouTube.
