Miss Rotorua contestants all set for crowning night

A night of glitz and glamour will see Miss Rotorua contestants put their training into practice at the crowning night.

It is being held tonight at the Blue Baths.

Organiser Kharl WiRepa was impressed with the dedication of contestants throughout their journey and the preparation they had made for crowning night.

Mr WiRepa said the crowning would include a talent section and a Q&A.

"The evening will be a night of diamonds, glitter and fur."

He said there would be prestigious guests, including Miss Universe NZ 2017 Harlem-Cruz Ihaia, runner-up of Miss Universe NZ 2017 Brooke Houia and Miss International New Zealand 2016 Jess Tyson.

Mr WiRepa said the highlight of the journey had been seeing the development of the young women and the amount of money raised for charity.

Challenges had included trying to make people understand that pageants were not superficial, he said.

Contestant Promise Royal was looking forward to the crowning.

She said the highlight had been growing with everyone and learning new things along the way.

"There's always encouragement as soon as you walk in the room."

Her charity was Special Olympics Rotorua and she had put on an evening with a three-course meal, silent auctions, entertainment and spot prizes which raised about $1700.

Contestant Leonie Pargeter was half excited, half nervous.

"It's been a long time since I've done something on stage."

Mrs Pargeter said the whole journey had been exciting, hard work and a lot of fun, and she would be sad when it was over.

"Everybody has been so nice, just totally blowing all those beauty pageant stereotypes to pieces. Everyone is supportive and happy for each other, and that's been really lovely."

She said a highlight had also been the work they did for charity. She had raised $1240 for Rotorua Hospice.

"It makes you feel really good giving back."

As the oldest contestant, at 37, she said you did not have to stop doing what you liked to do because you were older, married and had a family.

"I wish everybody the best of luck and a huge thanks to management for bringing the pageant back to this lovely town."

Ms Ihaia visited students at Western Heights High School yesterday.

Her advice was for contestants to be themselves and not feel they needed to try to be or look a particular way.

"That was what I was doing at the beginning of my journey and it felt fake. I stayed true to myself and culture."

Ms Houia was looking forward to seeing the whole show put together.

"It's going to be amazing."

Her advice for contestants was to "be you, be proud of who you are, be proud of where you've come, have fun on stage and show your all".