Former model Tyra Banks says she finds Kiwi girls genuinely friendly.

‘America’’s Next Top Model’ host, who was on a trip to Auckland for the launch of a new beauty campaign, feels New Zealand girls stand out.

“I find that the girls are so like, beyond warm and polite. I don”t know, do you guys have haters? America’’s all about haters. I don”t feel that here,” the NZ Herald quoted her as saying.

Banks is said to have broken down in tears in front of a star-studded crowd during the launch of the ‘Global Beauty Inside and Out summit’.

The 36-year-old beauty gave a speech about her stay in New Zealand and discussed the importance of embracing all kinds of beauty, encouraging young women to love themselves inside and out.

Clad in a bright purple wrap-around dress, Banks spoke of her passion for recognising all kinds of beauty and became visibly emotional.

“I apologise for the emotion but I am my mother’s daughter and my mama cries at everything,” she said.