Rising singer-songwriter Jenny Mitchell has taken out New Zealand country music’s biggest night, to claim top prize at the Gold Guitar Awards 2017.

The Gore native (pictured above with the trophy and her proud dad) was the hometown hero of the weekend, winning the overall senior award, after last year securing the intermediate category.

The honour of being presented with the famous wooden trophy topped off a successful 24 months, with Mitchell winning the 2016 MLT Songwriting Awards, placed third on NZ’s Got Talent and released her debut album, ‘The Old Oak’.

The album has gone onto debut at number 1 on the NZ Country iTunes Charts and number 3 on the Official NZ Music Charts.

Dunedin Americana duo, Flora & Sean, were named runners-up in the senior overall category, as well as being the winners of The Freeze Ya Bits Off Busking Competition.

More than 5000 country fans packed into the 44th annual New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards, to witness a total of 700 competitors give it their all for the pride and passion of country.

Held between Friday, June 2 and Sunday, June 4, it follows a week of music celebrations, including the NZ Country Music Awards, MLT Songwriting Awards, as well as various concerts and busking competitions.

The overall Junior Winner for 2017 was Serenity-Grace Nielsen (Vocal Solo), followed by Dunedin’s Jayden TJ who claimed the runner-up award.

The Intermediate Winner was Mac, of Dunedin (NZ Song), with another southern star, Invercargill’s Hazel Blue, taking out second place.

Overall winner of the 60+ category went to Dunedin’s Jean Barkman (Gospel), and Legal Tender, of Waikanae, (NZ Song) took out the 40+ section.

Contestants compete in either the junior, intermediate, senior or 40 and 60 plus sections, with a variety of sub-categories on offer, including male and female solo, gospel, traditional, country rock, duet, yodeling, vocal group, New Zealand composition and instrumental.

Full Results:

New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards Results 2017:

Senior Winner 2017 – Jenny Mitchell – Gore
Senior Runner-up 2017 – Flora & Sean – Dunedin

Senior Section Winners 2017

• Highest Scoring Gore CMC Member – Jenny Mitchell – Gore
• Male Vocal Solo – Arun O’Connor – Invercargill
• Female Vocal Solo – Jenny Mitchell – Gore
• Gospel – Jenny Mitchell – Gore
• Country Rock – Jayden Shingleton – Kaiapoi
• NZ Song – Jenny Mitchell – Gore
• Traditional – Flora & Sean – Dunedin
• Instrumental – Nick Brightwell – Auckland
• Open Yodelling – Dave Harraway – Kurow
• Duet – Jenny & Arun – Invercargill
• Open Vocal Group – The Wanderers – Invercargill
• Open Group – Valley Bluegrass – Dunedin
• Open Singer/Songwriter – Jenny Mitchell – Gore

Junior Winner 2017 – Serenity-Grace Nielsen (Vocal Solo)
Junior Runner-up 2017 – Jayden TJ – Dunedin

Junior Section Winners 2017

• Highest Scoring Gore CMC Member –  Ailin Pekar
• Vocal Solo – Serenity-Grace Nielson – Dunedin
• Gospel – Zac Griffith – Nelson Lakes
• Country Rock – Jayden TJ – Dunedin
• Duet – Abella – Gore

Intermediate Winner 2017 – Mac – Dunedin (NZ Song)
Intermediate Runner-up 2017 – Hazel Blue – Invercargill

Intermediate Section Winners 2017

• Highest Scoring Gore CMC Member – Brianna Hedley
• Vocal Solo – Maggie Townley – Invercargill
• Gospel – Bridget Collins – Palmerston
• Country Rock – Hazel Blue – Invercargill
• Duet – The Two J’s – Murchison
• Instrumental – Jayden TJ – Dunedin
• Traditional – Zac Griffith – Nelson Lakes
• NZ Song – Mac Dunedin
• Group – Not Contested

60+ Winner 2017 – Jean Barkman – Dunedin (Gospel)

60+ Section Winners 2017

• Highest Scoring Gore CMC Member – Ron Gallagher – Owaka
• 60+ Vocal Solo – Jean Barkman – Dunedin
• 60+ Gospel – Jean Barkman – Dunedin
• 60+ Traditional – Ron Gallagher – Owaka
• 60+ NZ Song – John Morgan – Mosgiel

40+ Winner 2017 – Legal Tender – Waikanae (NZ Song)

40+ Section Winners 2017

• Highest Scoring Gore CMC Member –  Heather Thacker
• 40+ Vocal Solo – Lanae Hill – Ashburton
• 40+  Country Rock –  Carol Shingleton – Westport
• 40+ Gospel – Carol Shingleton – Westport
• 40+Duet –  Legal Tender – Waikanae
• 40+ NZ Song – Legal Tender – Waikanae
• 40+ Traditional – Legal Tender – Waikanae