Kiwi beauty queen leaves Philippines over safety concerns

Nicole Harding was in Manila representing New Zealand. Photo / Facebook

A New Zealand beauty queen has pulled out of a pageant in the Philippines due to fears for her safety.

Nicole Harding was in Manila, representing New Zealand at the Miss and Mister Pancontinental 2015 global pageant, when she was contacted by the New Zealand embassy with "security concerns".

Ms Harding said the Kiwi diplomats told her she needed to go home - meaning she will miss out on competing in the beauty contest. The pageant started on November 19 and was supposed to run until the end of the month.

"Unfortunately I am having to leave the Miss Pancontinental pageant early. Due to my safety and security the New Zealand Embassy has decided that it is best if I fly back to New Zealand," Ms Harding, 22, told her friends on Facebook.

The beauty queen said she was "saddened" as she'd worked hard to make it to the pageant in the Philippines.

"...But with the lack of organisation, climate and security it is unsafe for me to be here any longer," she added.

"Thank you to everyone that has been there to support me through this experience and I am looking forward to touching down in New Zealand and seeing all of my friends and family," she added.

Ms Harding, of Christchurch, won the 'Beautiful Smile' contest at the World Supermodel NZ 2015.

When not taking part in pageants, Ms Harding works for an estate agency in Christchurch.

Earlier today, a colleague said Ms Harding was still not back in Christchurch, but was expected to arrive later this week.

New Zealand director of pageants Mila Manuel has sent beauty contestants to pageants for 25 years, but said this was the first time a contender has been sent home.

Ms Manuel said her job now was to bring Ms Harding back home to Christchurch.

"I'm really disappointed in what they did to the girls," she said.

"I have never seen or heard anything like this before."

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) confirmed to NZME News Service that the New Zealand embassy in the Philippines was in contact with Ms Harding and her parents.

"The NZ Embassy in the Philippines provided advice regarding Ms Harding's safety concerns in Mindanao," a spokeswoman said.

"Ministry consular staff are in contact with Ms Harding's parents."

Mfat's safetravel advisory for central and western Mindanao "remains at extreme risk and high risk for the rest of Mindanao", she said.

"We encourage all New Zealanders travelling or living overseas to register their details on SafeTravel and ensure that they have comprehensive travel insurance."

Mfat advises against all travel to parts of the Philippines island of Mindanao, but Manila is not included in the Ministry's "extreme risk" or "high risk" categories.

"There is some risk to your security elsewhere in the Philippines, including in Manila, due to the threat of terrorism, risk of kidnapping and violent crime and we advise caution," Mfat's Safe Travel website says.

• For travel advice in the Philippines, visit: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/philippines.