PAGEANT Circle

After a 4-year hiatus, New Zealand is set to return to the Miss Universe stage with the recently appointed Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 Franki Russell. The 29-year-old Kiwi-Filipina beauty was awarded the national title by this year's Miss Universe license holder for New Zealand, Dubai-based celebrity producer and publisher Josh Yugen. New Zealand was last represented at the Miss Universe pageant with Diamond Langi in 2019. The country has won the Miss Universe crown once with Lorraine Downes in 1983. The new Miss Universe New Zealand will now prepare for the 73rd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2024) competition to be held in Mexico later this year. Franki is a recognized reality star (Pinoy Big Brother) and actress in the Philippines. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe New Zealand (@missuniverse_newzealand) Photos: Miss Universe New Zealand / Instagram

Georgia Waddington was crowned Miss New Zealand 2023 (Miss International New Zealand 2023) last June 17 at the Bruce Mason Centre in Auckland. The 21-year-old beauty from Christchurch will now prepare to represent New Zealand at Miss International 2023 in Shibuya, Tokyo in Japan this October. She succeeds Lydia Smit, last year's representative who placed in the Top 15 and was awarded the continental title of Miss International Oceania. Aside from winning the national pageant, Georgia also bagged several special awards including Best in Evening Wear, Best in Swimwear, Miss Fitness, Top Model, Social Media Queen, and Charity Queen for her charitable efforts for I Am Hope and Brave. "I am incredibly thankful to the judges for believing in me. This moment is a dream come true, made possible by the unwavering support from my loved ones, sponsors, and the incredible cheer from all of you," she shared online. The rest of the winners were Miss Supranational New Zealand 2023 Emma

Caitlyn Dulcie was crowned Miss Earth New Zealand 2023 on Saturday, May 27 at Te Pou Theatre in Henderson, Auckland. The 23-year-old model, dancer, and musician also bagged the Best In Judge’s Interview and Best in Talent special awards.  Her court of elemental queens consists of Mercedes Budd, Lelaine Dela Cruz, Alyssa Roberts, and Moya van Kooten. They were named Miss Earth Air, Water, Fire, and Land, respectively. Simran Madan, last year's winner who went on to compete in the Philippines last November, passed the crown to her successor at the end of the event. Caitlyn will now prepare to represent her island country at Miss Earth 2023 in Vietnam later this year. New Zealand has yet to win the Miss Earth title since joining the pageant for the first time in 2001. Its highest placement was achieved in 2019 when Tashan Kapene made it to the Top 10 among 85 competitors. Meet the new Miss Earth New Zealand: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caitlyn Dulc