Crowning glory for United candidate

By KEVIN TAYLOR

It's a long way from canvassing for a minor political party to the world of international beauty contests but Sharee Adams is about to bridge the gap.

She was crowned Miss New Zealand at the weekend and her first engagement is on Friday when she will be on hand at the opening of the Albany electorate office of her father, United Future MP Paul Adams.

Miss Adams is already a convert to the middle-of-the-road party and was a candidate for the Northcote seat at last year's General Election.

The 23-year-old attracted 1139 votes or 3.73 per cent support.

The part-time Auckland nanny and student travels to Panama City next month to represent New Zealand in the Miss Universe pageant being held on June 3.

At first the Miss New Zealand contest struggled to attract entries, but 16 turned up for the event in Hamilton at the weekend.

The event was not open to the public. Contestants paraded before the judges in evening gowns, swimwear and daywear.

Mr Adams was enthusiastic about his daughter's success: "It's pretty cool, eh? I've got four kids and they've all been great. Sharee is pro-youth and pro-New Zealand, and will be a good ambassador."

Miss Adams said the contest had been a great confidence-booster and an opportunity to meet people from many different walks of life.

There has been a downside, however. Yesterday her car was sideswiped after an incident in Hamilton. A man allegedly escaped from the district court, stole a van and then crashed after driving the wrong way down Victoria Street.

Meanwhile, the Miss New Zealand contest organiser, Theresa Dunne, said she did not know Miss Adams had been involved in politics, nor that her father was an MP.

* There are two national beauty pageants, Miss New Zealand and Miss World New Zealand. The winner of last year's Miss World New Zealand contest, Rachel Huljich, had to flee with the other contestants after rioting broke out during the Miss World pageant in Nigeria.