The hunt is on to find the next furry fellow to represent New Zealand at the Mr Australasia Bear contest in June.

The Mr Urge NZ Bear 2012 competition takes place on Friday 17 February as part of the upcoming Get It On! Bear New Zealand Week (Feb 12-19).

Organisers are looking for participants who think they have the right “fluff” to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Arthur. The winner receives return flights to Melbourne to compete at Southern HiBearnation in June.

“This is the seventh year we have run the competition and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” said Urge co-owner Alan Granville.

“Bears Christchurch recently held it’s second Bear competition and is sending its winner to Auckland to compete and we have had interest from all around the country. We welcome guys all shapes and sizes and ultimately you are also helping to raise money on the night for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.”

For the first time this year a special trophy will also be rewarded for “Mr Congeniality” in honour of Mr NZ Bear 2010 Eric Szczerba, who sadly passed away last year.

Anyone who is keen should email urgebar@ihug.co.nz for details and more information can be found at the official Bear New Zealand website: www.bearnewzealand.co.nz.