Miss New Zealand happy to be home

Miss New Zealand, Holly Cassidy, on stage at the Miss Universe event in Moscow.

Holly Cassidy, Tauranga's own Miss New Zealand, has been home from Russia five weeks and is looking forward to lots of fresh air and some good Kiwi kai over the summer months.

The former Tauranga Girls' College student was crowned Miss New Zealand earlier this year and attended the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, Russia, in November.

Ms Cassidy said Russia had been an exciting experience and her most prized moment of the trip was the final night of the pageant.

"You really can't describe how it feels, all the adrenaline and excitement of 90 girls from all around the world backstage before going out, it was crazy.

"And of course being on stage with [rock star] Steven Tyler."

However, she missed creature comforts such as good Kiwi tucker while she was away.

"It was quite dirty there. We have a clean and green country. The cars are black with a film. The whole city was polluted.

"The food in Russia was oily and dry. You can't beat a good Kiwi barbecue, I had my first one last night - salmon, sauteed mushrooms and asparagus done in foil and cooked on the barbecue. Healthy and delicious."

Since she has been home, Ms Cassidy has been doing different commercial, modelling and television work in addition to her role as office administrator at Barfoot and Thompson in Auckland. A high for her has been visiting an Auckland Decile 1 school.

"I got to talk to year eight girls about confidence and where they wanted to go.

"We sponsored them make-up, hair straighteners and things to boost their confidence."

Ms Cassidy said it was a busy time of year around Christmas but she was looking forward to some much-earned time off with friends and family.

"This year I will be flying all around the country and crowning the new winners of the regional competitions.

"It's going to be another journey," she said.