A debate has erupted over a New Zealand beach pageant that saw girls as young as four years old compete in bikinis.
Stuff.co.nz reported 29 girls aged between four and six years old took to the stage in front of a 1000-strong crowd for the Miss Whangamata pageant that was held on December 29.
Opinions were divided over whether the event worked to boost the confidence of young girls or whether judging a girl based on her physical beauty could have a negative impact on her self esteem.
Controversial: A beach-side bikini pageant for girls as young as four years old has sparked debate in New Zealand
The pageant was held by Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club to raise funds to buy essential equipment for life savers.
Patron and life member of the club Richard Scelly told Daily Mail Australia the event had run for more than 30 years and they had not received any criticism about the family event.
Mr Scelly said the focus was not on high-heels or getting 'made up', but on young girls coming off the beach and having fun.
Debate: Opinions were divided over whether the event boosted girls' confidence or whether focusing on physical beauty alone would have a negative impact on young girls
'I wouldn't even call it a pageant, it's just a beach event,' he said.
'It's just a fun event we have run for many years through the surf club and we do this is to generate funds to purchase essential surf life saving equipment.'
Julia Stringer, whose nine-year-old daughter Emily took part in the event, told stuff.co.nz it was the first time her daughter had competed and it was her choice to do so.
While Emily had a positive experience - despite not placing in the event she remained 'confident and buzzing' - Ms Stringer said it appeared not all girls has the same reaction.
'I did see a couple of girls who you could tell were not comfortable at all, hunching and covering their stomachs, and I think they should have either been wearing something they were more comfortable wearing or done the competition another time,' she said.
She said as long as the girls who took part in the event were confident and it was their choice to compete she saw no harm in it.
However Coromandel-based Green MP Catherine Delahunty raised concerns over the event and said other activities that focused on the girls' talents would be 'more progressive and creative'.
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'Putting little girls in bikinis and judging them on which has the best body or the prettiest face ... I don't see a huge amount of social value in a competition that reinforces a very narrow definition of physical beauty,' she said.
'For some, it can be a serious issue. Lots of girls feel bad about their bodies or develop eating disorders ... we can't choose what we are born with.'
Ms Delahunty said competitions that encouraged girls to show their talents, such as to share a piece of writing they had constructed or artwork they made, would be a better option.
Pauline Haycraft, a leading childcare expert and former childcare centre owner and director, told Daily Mail Australia children that age should focus on issues not are not related to body image.
Casual affair: The beach-side event was held in Williamson Park behind Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club
Ms Haycraft said they should be focused on 'how they present their creations, their ideas' and 'their values' as opposed to the superficial.
'This is so much more valuable,' she said. 'They can present with poise and confidence, humour and compassion.
'This builds them and their self confidence.'
'As adults our responsibility is to create situations that are of deep benefit not ones that funnel them down a route to possible harm.'
Model Kylie Bax, who judged this year's event, disagreed and said events such as Miss Whangamata could work as a confidence boost for young girls.
Miss Bax said the beach atmosphere attracted a supportive crowd and environment and for those who took competitors like the beach pageant seriously it could be a good opportunity for girls to bolster their confidence.
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