Contestants of Miss World New Zealand 2018 are vying out for a chance to represent Aotearoa at one of the world's most prestigious pageants.
This year two Māori beauty queens, Hayley Robinson and Jessica Tyson, are trying their luck in the competition for the second time, after first competing in it in previous years.
Tyson of Te Atihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi says she's lucky to have a good support group behind her this year after first competing in 2016.
"I'm feeling really nervous. I've done this before many times but it doesn't stop me from feeling nervous," she says.
Since first entering in 2016, Tyson has represented the country at two international pageants in China and Japan.
The 25-year-old says if she was to win the title of Miss World New Zealand, she would work hard to be a great representative for Aoteaora, "but I know that there are a lot of other beautiful women who I'm up against who are also deserving".
Areas judged include interview, sports, charity, evening gown, talent and dance of nations; a dance representing the New Zealand culture.
Miss World NZ 2018 contestants. Source: Alex Tee Photography
Contestant Dana Rusk, who is not of Māori descent but grew up around the culture, was offered help from the people of Ngāti Awa to choreograph her dance of nation’s routine.
"Many of the local community in Te Teko, where I'm from, were involved with my performance for dance of nations, but it was my Aunty Vikki Paul who came up with the themes in the dance and the corresponding poi movements and taught it to me," says Rusk.
As part of her dance, she performed a short poi routine that aimed to tell the story of where she is from.
"It incorporated elements [and] landmarks of our town Te Teko including the Rangitaiki River and Mount Putauaki. It also incorporated that which my family was best known for - dairy farming. All of these themes were depicted in my poi movements, she says.
"I was very nervous as I have never performed anything like this before, but I really loved it and it made me feel very proud of who I am and where I’m from."
Charity
As part of this year’s Beauty With A Purpose charity project, contestants have raised more than $20,000 so far for Annie’s Lifeline, a charity founded by Miss World New Zealand 2017 Annie Evans.
“Annie’s Lifeline is an organisation that gives scholarships to youth who are suicide survivors or have gone through strenuous mental health problems. The scholarships are not limited to university but all tertiary education programs including apprenticeships," says Evans.
Contestants have held their own events such as auctions, fashions shows and sausage sizzles to fundraise for the charity. Evans says receiving support from the contestants has been “absolutely amazing”.
“I never expected how 'above and beyond' they would go for a cause they believe in,” she says.
The final of Miss World New Zealand is on May 5 at Sky City.
