They hated seeing women being judged by their looks. Their bodies treated as sexual objects when they paraded in their swimwear. Hope charmingly referred to this section of the contest as the calf section.
The activists had been protesting outside the Miss World venues for some years but in 1970 they decided to disrupt the contest during the live TV broadcast. The contest is still held but the BBC stopped broadcasting the event in the 1980s.
So why, when asked to be one of the judges at the Miss Rotorua Beauty Pageant 2021, did I unreservedly, and gladly, accept the invitation?
Because the pageant is worlds apart from what we normally think of as a beauty contest.
Miss Rotorua showcases beauty from a different view, with emphasis on the person within and their aspirations. Each contestant is valued for the person they are. Through the competition they have the opportunity to make transformational change in the areas that matter to them.
This caught my attention and interest. Why would the 20 women who stood on the stage on Friday evening want to transform some areas of their lives?
The reasons were many and varied. Judges had the opportunity to hear from the contestants themselves, why they had entered the competition. For some it was receiving support and encouragement to move out of their comfort zone. For others an opportunity to believe in themselves and to explore unfulfilled dreams.
And there were those who wanted to celebrate their survival in surmounting the impossible odds of still being here today.
Transformational change is hard work. It requires the courage to believe it before you see it. It requires action and sustained commitment. How these women pulled it off, over the 12 weeks, is beyond me. But they did.
Yes, they all wore beautiful gowns, showed their various skills in the talent section and answered the questions judges put to them. But it was the inner beauty that was evident. The quiet poise, perhaps. The "this is me" look. I loved it.
After the show I spoke with a member of the audience, who had been to all five of the Miss Rotorua Pageants. This year's pageant stood out.
She said it was obvious the organisers were continuously learning and making programme improvements each year. I'm not sure if it was because the whole show was being filmed for TV screening but the timing was perfect.
Exactly a three-hour production with the MCing in the very capable hands of Mercia Yates. Her seamless flow between te reo and English is always a joy to listen to.
Transformational change takes time for all those who embark on it. It is a work in progress.
For the women who entered Miss Rotorua Pageant 2021, they had their own reasons for doing so.
I hope their transformational change will lead them to opportunities to extend and develop themselves further.
They all had ambitions, dreams and aspirations for their futures.
The pageant's managing director Kharl WiRepa, as a high-fashion designer, is doing something he loves. His passion and flair is not just to produce a spectacular event.
It was clear to me that he knows, with support and encouragement, everyone can be the best version of themselves.
- Merepeka Raukawa-Tait is chairwoman of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, a Lakes District Health Board member and Rotorua District councillor.
