Miss Pacific Islands Pageant

Miss PNG Crowning Week Journey

These beautiful contestants have travelled to various locations in the past few weeks meeting inspiring and empowering people, communities and their charities of choice.

In the lead up to the crowning, the Miss Pacific Islands pageants have been putting in the work by visiting their charities of choice, attending church sessions, and will be participating in their first judging category at the Crown Hotel tomorrow.

Miss PNG 2019 released

The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant PNG (MPIP PNG) Committee announced this following a meeting between the Committee and Maino during which time an amicable decision was reached.

Chairperson of MPIP PNG, Molly O’Rourke, said: “After discussions with Miss Maino last week, MPIP PNG now formally advises that the reign of the 2019 crowned Miss Papua New Guinea has come to an end and Miss Maino has been released with immediate effect, to focus on her future goals as a private citizen and is no longer the holder of the Miss PNG/Papua New Guinea title.”  

Meet Miss Tuvalu 2019

Just last month Miss Pasua represented Tuvalu at various at the United Nations Youth Climate Change Summit in New York, and also as Peace Boat Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador.

She said: “I am the second daughter born into a country known for its culture and togetherness. I am proud to say that I was not only raised by my immediate family but the community of Tuvalu – a common story for any Tuvaluan.

Meet Miss Samoa 2019

“My name is Fonoifafo Nancy McFarland Seumanu. I am 24 years old, a Public Health Nurse by profession; a dance and music enthusiast; and Miss Samoa 2019.

“I am excited to be part of this year’s Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, representing my homeland. I am eager to meet each one of my Pacific sisters and get to know them.

I hope throughout the pageant week, we will exemplify the beauty of each of our culture and country that make the Pacific Islands vibrant and unique.”

Amazing journey for Miss PNG

Kariha and the other five contestants of the 2018 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, accompanied by the current Miss Pacific Islands, paid a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister of Tonga, Akilisi Pōhiva, on Tuesday.

“I was especially honoured to meet the Prime Minister of our host country,” she said. "This has been a busy but an amazing journey for me so far!

“Judging begins today with the research topic presentation. I will be talking on empowerment of women. This is such an important topic not just for my country but on a broader scale for the Pacific region.

Regional Pageant board judging criteria under scrutiny

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi assured reigning Miss Samoa, Alexandra Iakopo that the Board can expect a formal letter from the government.

Iakopo was crowned first runner up in the regional pageant that was held in Fiji last week.

“In my eyes and in the eyes of your country, you are still a winner in our book,” Tuilaepa told Iokopo when she paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister.

On the same token, he is pleased with the overall performance by Miss Samoa and has accepted with pride the outcome.

Miss American Samoa scoops crown

To'omalatai entered the Miss Pacific Islands’ regional pageant this year as Miss American Samoa.

She was among nine other contestants who took to stage last night (December 9), in Nadi, Fiji.

To'omalatai was crowned as the Miss Pacific Islands queen 2017 – 2018.

She is still a student at the University of Hawaii at Kapi'olani Community College and is a professional Polynesian entertainer.

The emerald green tree snail’s story

The emerald green tree snail, also called the 'forest jewel', is scientifically known as papustyla pulcherrima.

Miss Twain, who is part Manus islander, highlighted the fact that the green snail is an endangered species and its habitat, the tropical rainforest, is being threatened by logging, road construction, other development activities and rising sea levels. She used the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant platform to call for its protection.

Miss PNG performs self-written dramatic monologue

Last night the Pageant with the theme 'Climate Change Action to Sustain Our Islands', highlighting the COP23 outcomes, showcased talents from around the region featuring nine contestants from nine countries.

23-year-old Niawali Anastasia Twain performed a dramatic monologue, an original piece written by Miss Twain herself.

The four-minute performance was inspired by the plight of the Carteret Islanders, the world's first climate change and environmental refugees who are being relocated from their sinking atolls to Tinputz on the main island of Bougainville.  

Modern materials in a traditional story

“Many still do to this day,” says Molly O’Rourke, chairperson of Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) PNG.

She says opportunities such as the pageant puts PNG on a different scale.

“Because we can do more than that (headdress and bare-chest)… This is where these ladies (designers) come in with their different cultures and talents,” she said.

The chairperson further explained that a designer’s role now is to use modern materials but speak a traditional story.