She says current Miss Samoa NZ, Metotisi Komiti-Faalavaau, has just concluded her tour of Samoa visiting schools, children's hospitals and homes for the elderly.
Ms Matafai says the cultural aspect of the pageant is what is important to her because it is easy to withdraw from being Samoan while living in New Zealand.
"The whole focus of the Miss Samoa NZ for me is that the girls who come in, who are New Zealand born, get to learn something about their culture. If they walk away knowing a little bit of their language or a little bit of their culture, then I'm happy and that's my job done," she says.
She says candidates don't go through elimination rounds but need to show they can carry themselves with a lot of confidence and a lot of heart. Beauty is a plus, of course.
"But if you can shine with the beauty from the inside, you can actually see that.
She says judges can see on the night, that this girl is more than just looks. She's got a purpose that she wants to fulfil," she says.
The pageant, likely to be held in July, is one of the prestigious Pasifika events held in Auckland every year.
Entrants need to be aged between 17 and 24. To enter email: info@misssamoanzpageant.co.nz or text/call: 021 648 637.
