Thailand was just the start

Whatever happens at the grand final of the Miss Universe New Zealand pageant in Auckland on October 5, life is unlikely to ever be the same for at least one of the final 20
contestants. Kaingaroa teenager Priscilla de Groen Hutchinson wasn't sure what
to expect when the made the short-list, and was told to make sure her passport was up to date, but already doors are beginning to open for her.

The 19-year-old had her sights on a dancing career a few weeks ago, but now potential careers in the media and modelling were also contenders.

Priscilla was back home earlier this week after an at times strenuous nine days in Thailand, where the finalists were filmed and photographed. The results of that will feature at the October 5 finale, but it's public votes that will decide the title.

``I'm making a huge effort to get out there on Facebook (priscilla.nextmissnz) to let people know I need their support,'' she said.

Thailand wasn't all lights, camera and action though. There was also time to go horse riding in a thunderstorm, to swim in the sea (the water was too warm and murky to be as
good as back home), taking in some elephant polo and riding an elephant.

In fact elephants loomed large for Priscilla, who also received a kiss from one, got lots of elephant hugs (requiring some degree of trust on the part of the hugee), and comforting one that was in still in rehab (to the consternation of an
attendant). ``They are so intelligent, wonderful creatures,'' she said.

The really hard work took place over four long days, each contestant being photographed in a different location and pose, by photographers Priscilla could not praise highly enough. ``It was the first time I had ever done anything like that, and they
were just fantastic,'' she said.'' There was a great deal to absorb for a girl who had never been outside New Zealand before, however, including an airport media frenzy they arrived, and a baggage search when she returned to Auckland.

`I was the only one who had my luggage searched because I had declared a wooden bowl,'' she said. ``I told them that had been properly treated and packed but they
insisted on seeing it. Hopefully I'll make it on to [television programme] Border Patrol. Dad loves that. I tried to look shifty to improve the odds.''

The pace hadn't slowed much since getting home though. There was still a lot of publicity work to be done leading into the final week, when the contestants would be
reunited in Auckland for events including a salad-making competition at a lettuce ``factory'' and walking around the rim of Skytower.

Priscilla said she was looking forward to and dreading that in about equal measure. Then there would be dress fittings, rehearsals, dance routines to learn and appearances on
Juice TV. And through it all Priscilla was getting lots of support at home. Mum
Jennifer was ``so supportive and helpful,'' Dad Garth ``loves it'' and 16-year-old brother Vinnie was not far behind.

``He's telling everyone that his sister will be the next Miss Universe New Zealand,'' she said, ``but I think the highlight for him so far was seeing the girls when we arrived home from Thailand.''