Miss New Zealand hopes to bring home world title

8 Nov, 2017 10:00am 3 minutes to read

Harlem-Cruz Atarangi Ihaia, 19, will take part in the Miss Universe pageant on November 26.

Hawkes Bay Today

It has been 34 years since a Kiwi was crowned Miss Universe and it is a dry spell 19-year-old Harlem-Cruz Atarangi Ihaia is hoping to end this month.

As Miss New Zealand, she is set to jet off by herself to Las Vegas on Saturday, ahead of the Miss Universe pageant on November 26 (New Zealand - November 27).

Despite admitting to feeling a "mixed bag of emotions", she was most "looking forward to getting to know other cultures, bonding with the other competitors and forming friendships with people from all around the world".

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"At the age of 19, to be going to the biggest pageant in the world, I am excited but also nervous.

"I've never done anything like this before and I'm not really sure what I'm getting into," Ms Ihaia said.

Although, the beauty queen was firmly focused on the task ahead.

"I'm heading over to try to win the competition, but if I don't succeed, it's not a big deal. I am going to represent the country to the best of my ability. The point of the journey was and still is about breaking stereotypes among young Maori."

In the lead-up to the big day, she has been working on her fitness, watching past Miss Universe pageants and getting advice and support from people in the pageant world and family and friends.

"I think the most preparation that I've done is preparing mentally and emotionally to cope with the pageant world.

"One said that back in her day Maori would never think of entering. It made her really happy. It's not just for myself, but for my family and the Maori community as a whole," Ms Ihaia said.

In the future, she hopes to use her platform to start a business that encourages Kiwi women to be confident in themselves.

The first two weeks will involve touring Las Vegas and promoting the show's sponsors, as well as auditions with the judges and a photoshoot.

Ten members of her family will meet her in the week of the competition.

Her grandmother, Bessie Manaena, said they were all so proud of the teenager.

"For her to make it this far and especially coming from Hawke's Bay, it is just fantastic. We wish her all the best."

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