Miss Universe contestants from Tauranga, from left: Monique Thomas-Long, Rachael Annear, Evelyne Dawe, and Kaitlyn Wood.
Miss Universe contestants from Tauranga, from left: Monique Thomas-Long, Rachael Annear, Evelyne Dawe, and Kaitlyn Wood.
Four young women from Tauranga will soon get their chance to shine after being selected among the 20 finalists in the 2015 Miss Universe New Zealand competition.
Trainee teacher Rachael Annear, NZME radio brands promotions co-ordinator Monique Thomas-Long, Evelyne Dawe and Kaitlyn Wood have all made the cut and head to Manila on September 2 for a five-day finalists retreat.
Ms Annear, who is in her final year of completing her bachelor of education studies at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute, was also a finalist in last year's Indulge Bay Model Competition.
The bubbly 21-year-old said getting the chance to fly the flag for Tauranga was "very exciting".
"It is still sinking in. It's quite an amazing opportunity. It ties in very nicely with teaching, which I'm passionate about. I want to be a positive role model for young girls," she said.
"The Miss Universe New Zealand competition has opened up a lot of doors as well as boosting my confidence and taught me a lot of things I wouldn't otherwise have had the chance to learn."
Rachael Annear. Photo/file
Monique Thomas-Long
Evelyne Dawe
Kaitlyn Wood.
A rapt Ms Thomas-Long, 23, said she was "over the moon".
"I have never done anything like this before. It's completely out of my comfort zone, but I'm very excited to be a finalist, " she said.
Each finalist must also participate in an entrepreneurial challenge, and Ms Annear had chosen to hold a huge garage sale to fundraise for the children's charity Variety.
Public voting opens in a few days and carries on through to the televised grand final on October 24 at Sky City Theatre in Auckland. The public vote is a key part of the finalists' success, representing 50 per cent of the final result.
The overall winner will represent New Zealand at the international Miss Universe competition next year.
Event organiser and spokesperson Nigel Godfrey said about 200 young women from all over the country registered to participate in Miss Universe New Zealand.
"The calibre of competitors this year is much higher than past years across the board. This competition is not just about standing on the stage and looking lovely ... Our main focus is to select someone who is a well-rounded individual who can become a great ambassador for this country."
Ms Dawe and Ms Wood could not be contacted last night.
Miss Universe New Zealand 2015
* September 2 the finalists head to Manila for a five-day retreat