Meet our Miss Universe NZ finalist

Breone Lay, 23, described herself as "quite lucky".

When Miss Universe New Zealand finalist Breone Lay applied to work behind the scenes at a beauty pageant three years ago, she never dreamed she'd end up entering as a contestant - and winning.

As a design student looking for experience in 2011, the Havelock North High School old girl approached the director of Miss Hawke's Bay offering to design pamphlets for the pageant.

But when the director received Ms Lay's CV, she talked her into entering instead.

Now Ms Lay, 23, can boast the Miss Hawke's Bay 2011 title, as well as Directors Award Winner in Miss Aotearoa 2012 and, most recently, she was announced as a finalist in Miss Universe NZ last month.

However, competing in beauty pageants takes up a fraction of her busy schedule.

A flight attendant for Air New Zealand, she recently moved from Wellington to Auckland in order to work on long-haul flights to Los Angeles.

She was soon doing promotional work for Air NZ, notably starring in a safety video alongside American comedian Betty White.

Ms Lay described herself as "quite lucky", as her managers were supportive of her Miss Universe NZ nomination, which would see her spend time on a retreat at an unrevealed location as part of the competition in the coming months.

Last year the retreat was held in Thailand and this years' location remains a mystery, though she would know within the next 72 hours.

When she isn't in the air, Ms Lay is completing a business degree with a double major in accounting and management.

She's also an avid dancer; having covered jazz, ballet and contemporary since she started at the ripe age of three - and even a stint cheerleading for the Hawke's Bay Magpies.

Ms Lay said dancing had taught her how to carry herself, an ability which has crossed into modelling.

Despite her many commitments, she still managed to find time to visit family in the Bay every couple of weeks.

The Miss Universe NZ Grand Final is in September and the winner will represent the country at the international Miss Universe competition.

Ms Lay made a compelling argument for the title. "I would be available and approachable as a role model and public figure who can talk to these people and really try and work to understand why.

"I want young ones to be excited to see the world, live fit and healthy lifestyles and get outside and explore."