Miss Cook Islands
The Miss Cook Islands is the national beauty pageant in the Cook Islands in under Miss Cook Islands Association (MCIA). The current reigning titleholder is Tajiya Sahay who was crowned in October 2019.
Motto | Develop life skills to ensure they become significant positive contributors |
---|---|
Formation | 1960 |
Type | Beauty pageant |
Headquarters | Avarua |
Location | |
Membership |
|
Official language | English |
President | Dianna Clarke-Bates |
Website | www.misscookislands.com |
History
Early
The Maine Kuki Airani (Miss Cook Islands) national pageant was held for the first time in 1960 and was usually happening in every two years. In the Miss Cook Islands pageant, beauty encompasses physical attributes and qualities that are seen to represent the community at large; respectability, talent and commitment to Cook Islands value. An yet, competing for the representative role of Miss Cook Islands necessitates that the participants negotiate contradictory moral proscriptions that define Cook Islands femininity.[1]
International competitions
In 1998 the Miss Cook Islands franchised the Miss Universe and Miss South Pacific licenses. The Miss Cook Islands was patronized by Pa Te Ariki Upokotini Marie and Ui Ariki. Between 1983 and 1999 the Miss Cook Islands winners went to the Miss Universe competition.
Today, Miss Cook Islands is patronised by the First Lady - Mrs Akaiti Puna - the wife of Prime Minister - Hon. Henry Puna. Miss Cook Islands Association ('MCIA') is a non-profit organisation that owns and operates the Miss Cook Islands Pageant, based on Rarotonga, the Cook Islands. It has evolved into a professionally operated pageant with a passion & focus on developing young Cook Islands women to be the best versions of themselves; and giving them opportunities to showcase their talent & skill on a world stage.
'Identity & Heritage' are the core themes of Miss Cook Islands as the pageant strives to ignite cultural pride & self-worth in Cook Islands youth. The main sponsors of the pageant include the Government of the Cook Islands and the largest companies in the Cook Islands. [2][3] Every year the Miss Cook Islands prepares the Top 3 to Miss World, Miss International and Miss Grand International competitions. 2018, 2nd Runner up will represent the country at Miss Grand International; 1st Runner up will represent the country at Miss International; Miss Cook Islands will represent the country at Miss World. 2020 will see the return of Miss Cook Islands to Miss Universe, in addition to Miss World and Miss Grand International 2020. Miss Cook Islands 2019 Coronation is scheduled for Saturday 26 October 2019 at the National Auditorium at Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
Titleholders
Year | Miss Cook Islands | Notes |
---|---|---|
1960 | June Taringa (Baudinet) | |
1961 | Tara Utanga (Scott) | |
1972 | Joanna Taria Rere | |
1973 | Ina Manuel Karika | |
1979 | Ellena Tavioni | |
1980 | Moari Luka-Fortes | |
1981 | Celine Tommy | |
1982 | Carmena Blake (Wong) | |
1983 | Margaret Brown (Numanga) | |
1984 | Essie Apolonia Mokotupu | |
1985 | Lorna Sawtell | |
1986 | Michelle Leone Oberg | |
1988 | Annie Wigmore | |
1989 | Angela Manarangi | |
1990 | Raema Chitty | |
1991 | Jeannine Tuavera (Piri) | |
1993 | Leilani Brown | |
1994 | Tarita Brown | |
1995 | Victoria (Vicky) Keil | |
1998 | Tina Marie Vogel | |
2000 | Louisa Mayor Browne | |
2002 | Donna Tuarra | |
2004 | Noovai Tylor | |
2006 | Krystina Te-Rangi Elizabeth Kauvai | |
2009 | Engara Melanie Amanda Gosselin | |
2012 | Teuira Napa | |
2014 | Felicia Rose George | |
2015 | Natalia Short | Top 20 at Miss World 2016 and Miss World Sport Winner |
2016 | Lydia Simonis Tariu | |
2017 | Alanna Smith | |
2018 | Reihana Koteka-Wiki | Top 30 at Miss World 2018 |
2019 | Tajiya Eikura Sahay | Top 12 at Miss World 2019 and Miss World Oceania Continental Winner |
2020 | TBA | TBA |
Miss International
Since 2017, traditionally the winner or sometimes a handpicked delegate of Miss Cook Islands represented her country at Miss International.
Year | Miss International Cook Islands | Placement | Note (s) |
2017 | Silas Tuaputa | Unplaced | |
2018 | Louisa Purea | Unplaced | |
Did not compete in 2019 | |||
2020 | Emma Tepaeru Kainuku-Walsh | TBA | |
Miss Earth
Since 2012, traditionally the winner or sometimes a handpicked delegate of Miss Cook Islands represented her country at Miss Earth.
Year | Miss Earth Cook Islands | Placement | Note (s) |
2012 | Teuira Napa | Unplaced | |
Did not compete between 2013—2015 | |||
2016 | Allanah Herman-Edgar | Unplaced | |
2017 | Mona Taio | Unplaced | |
References
- Alexeyeff, Kalissa (18 October 2018). "Dancing from the Heart: Movement, Gender, and Cook Islands Globalization". University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved 18 October 2018 – via Google Books.
- Matariki Wilson. "Miss Cook Islands prepares for Miss World". Cookislandnews.com. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- "Strong line up for Miss Cook Islands title". Cookislandnews.com. Retrieved 18 October 2018.