Ms Samoa NZ hopefuls - step right up

It's the final call for young Samoan women with a drive towards achieving personal excellence and service to their community to join the Miss Samoa NZ pageant for 2012.

Te'eva Matafai, pageant director, says the Miss Samoa NZ pageant is unlike other pageants in the sense that it is not only about crowning the most beautiful candidate but it aims to preserve, recognise and endorse the Samoan culture and its fundamental values.

"We are looking for girls who have the heart to actually serve the community, girls who are able to carry the crown with a lot of pride and a lot of cultural aspect as well," she says.

Ms Matafai says they have changed the focus of the competition from just winning the crown and the sash to actually serving the community.

"Rather than just being seen at big events, Miss Samoa New Zealand will be attending a lot of community activities up and down the country. We are going to the roots of our community."

She says current Miss Samoa NZ, Metotisi Komiti-Faalavaau, has just concluded her tour of Samoa visiting schools, children's hospitals and homes for the elderly.

Ms Matafai says the cultural aspect of the pageant is what is important to her because it is easy to withdraw from being Samoan while living in New Zealand.

"The whole focus of the Miss Samoa NZ for me is that the girls who come in, who are New Zealand born, get to learn something about their culture. If they walk away knowing a little bit of their language or a little bit of their culture, then I'm happy and that's my job done," she says.

She says candidates don't go through elimination rounds but need to show they can carry themselves with a lot of confidence and a lot of heart. Beauty is a plus, of course.

"But if you can shine with the beauty from the inside, you can actually see that.

She says judges can see on the night, that this girl is more than just looks. She's got a purpose that she wants to fulfil," she says.

The pageant, likely to be held in July, is one of the prestigious Pasifika events held in Auckland every year.

Entrants need to be aged between 17 and 24. To enter email: info@misssamoanzpageant.co.nz or text/call: 021 648 637.