Since winning Miss Wairarapa, Miss Watkinson has been involved in Wellington fashion shows and says she has grown up a lot.
"I found I became more of a lady than a girl."
She's also gained a lot of Facebook friends.
"After Miss Wairarapa, I had a lot of Facebook requests, which is quite cool, and since I got into the top 20 I've got them every day, maybe two or three coming in a day.
"At the moment, I need my name out there so I'm just accepting everyone, they obviously want to follow me and see what I'm up to."
Miss Watkinson attended Ponatahi Christian School and Wairarapa College and is now living in Wellington, working as a manager for cellphone company 2degrees.
Part of the competition involves raising money for charity, which has brought Miss Watkinson back to Wairarapa. Her charity of choice was Variety, the Children's Charity which helps disadvantaged Kiwi children. "I'm the only one [in the top 20] from Wairarapa, so I thought why not go back home where people know me, people are going to want to support the local girl."
The candidate who raises the most money goes straight into the top 10, even if New Zealand does not vote for them.
Miss Universe New Zealand will be crowned on October 5 and will head off to Moscow the following week to participate in Miss Universe.