NZ Miss Universe pick

Aucklander Katie Taylor, 22, will represent New Zealand at the Miss Universe competition in August in the Bahamas.

She was selected from 15 competitors at the Miss Universe New Zealand contest in Levin on Saturday.

Miss Taylor is a construction project manager who also made it to the top five in the 2007 Miss Universe New Zealand competition.

"I have never won anything before, but I gave it everything I had," she said.

"I'm looking forward to working on getting ready for the finals in the Bahamas, and to doing my country proud."

Levin local Priyani Puketapu, 18, was the first runner-up and Anthea Stembridge, 19, was second runner-up.

- NZ HERALD STAFF