A former Miss Manawatu winner has proven a force to be reckoned with in national pageants - and now has the opportunity to compete at an international level.
Hayley Robinson, winner of Miss Manawatu 2012, came in as first runnerup in April's Miss World New Zealand competition in Auckland, which has given her the opportunity to compete at the Miss International in Japan in November.
She was also one of the top five contestants in the 2013 Miss Universe New Zealand.
Hayley credits the Miss Manawatu competition as the foundation for her success. "I would never have had the confidence or skills to feel like I could compete at Miss World NZ if it wasn't for the amazing preparation I had through Miss Manawatu."
Competing in Auckland meant moving her life to the big city for three-and-a half months, where she studied towards a Bachelor of Teaching in early childcare education while working at a childcare centre, as well as training for the competition on the weekends.
The upcoming pageant in Japan is on a bigger scale, and Hayley said she would need to keep pushing herself and developing in every area. "It's the same type of pageant as Miss Manawatu and Miss World NZ, but with international pageants the girls are very experienced and for lots of them it's their paid profession."
