Awards convener Philip Geary said everything was in place for the music competition.
Auditions began at 8.15am this morning with busking auditions from noon until 2pm this afternoon.
This year, the awards had attracted a record 655 entries, including two from Australia, breaking the record set last year with 652 entries, Mr Geary said.
The intermediate country rock section was the biggest, with 60 entrants, but all sections are seeing numbers similar to entries last year, "We're seeing a resurgence in those interested in country music, especially in the intermediate section, which is great for country music."
Tickets sales were going well, edging slightly ahead of last year, Mr Geary said.
The NZ Gold Guitar Awards are held annually at Queen's Birthday weekend.
Each day, auditions are held in two venues, with judges choosing finalists in the various sections.
The junior and intermediate finals will be held tomorrow night, with the senior finals on Sunday night.
