Barbara McDowell's shock at being crowned Miss New Zealand after host Peter Sinclair made a mistake and named her as a runner-up. Photos / Screengrab
Barbara McDowell's shock at being crowned Miss New Zealand after host Peter Sinclair made a mistake and named her as a runner-up. Photos / Screengrab
As the world cringed at last night's very public mix-up at Miss Universe, when Miss Colombia was briefly and mistakenly crowned the beauty pageant winner, one New Zealand woman was likely reminded of her own shock victory 30 years ago.
The Miss New Zealand 1984 pageant also finished on a gaffe-filled climax, when host Peter Sinclair read the names on the card the wrong way around.
In video clips from the time, Miss Auckland, Barbara McDowell, can be seen looking dazed as her runner up sash is swiftly swapped for the winner's sash and crown during the live final.
The moment Sinclair realises he has made an error. Photo / Screengrab
Describing it as a "very closely fought match", Sinclair tells the audience and six anxious finalists the first runner up is Miss Auckland, followed by Miss Hawkes Bay, Kareena Murray, as the second runner up.
However, as Miss Murray is receiving her sash and flowers, a man can be seen approaching Sinclair to the side of the stage and pointing at the card he is reading from.
He then says: "And now ladies and gentlemen I have a most embarrassing task to perform. I've just read the list from the top down, instead of from the bottom up."
Looking at the card, he says: "In fact, this is the correct order. The second runner up is Miss Manawatu, Catherine Sullivan, the first runner up is Miss Hawkes Bay, Kareena Murray. And the new Miss New Zealand 1984 is Miss Auckland, Barbara McDowell."
"Barbara McDowell, obviously overcome at this sudden change of fortune," Sinclair narrates, "as she takes the first runner's up ribbon off and receives the Miss New Zealand ribbon instead."
Barbara McDowell was shocked when her runner up sash was swapped for the winner's sash. Photo / Screengrab
He calls it an "amazing, exciting night" for the newly crowned Miss New Zealand, as an visibly shocked and overwhelmed Miss McDowell has the crown placed on her head.
"Barbara's looking quite stunned, as she is crowned Miss New Zealand 1984," Sinclair says. "It must have been a most exciting moment for her."
Miss McDowell, who was the first part-Samoan Miss New Zealand, is quoted as saying afterwards: "I feel strange actually ... I've won two places on the same night. If it's any help I was very happy with third place, but it's much better winning."
Miss Auckland, Barbara McDowell, receiving her sash. Photo / Screengrab
The revelation of New Zealand's own beauty pageant gaffe came after Miss Colombia was momentarily crowned Miss Universe at the glitzy final in Las Vegas last night, only to have the crown taken from her and given to the winner Miss Philippines.
Host, comedian Steve Harvey, misread his cue card, mistakenly declaring Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, as the winner.
As she blew kisses, Harvey awkwardly said: "I have to apologise. The first runner up is Colombia."
"Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines," he added, with the Colombian contestant left like a deer in headlights and the actual winner, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, looking stunned.
