Hannah Paul with her son, Kaea Rameka-Paul, 8, is preparing to take part in the United Nations Pageant. Photo/Ben Fraser
A Rotorua mother is aiming to grace the world's stage as she competes in the United Nations Pageant.
Hannah Paul (Ngati Rangiwewehi) was chosen to represent New Zealand for the Ms United Nations title after taking part in the Miss Diversity International pageant in Auckland last year. Although she did
not place in the recent competition, her close connections to her Maori culture have given her the opportunity to showcase that heritage in Kingston, Jamaica in September.
The 26-year-old single mother of two said taking part in these contests had been an amazing experience which she hoped to continue. "Just meeting different people and making connections, has been awesome. It's helped me with confidence and being able to learn about different cultures," Ms Paul said.
"Being now able to stand in front of a camera, interviewing techniques and all the advice I have been given has just been great, too."
Ms Paul said she was concentrating on helping out in the community, as well as being one of four New Zealand representatives. Volunteer work is a criteria to taking part and she has spent time at her son's Ngongotaha School and hoped to lend a hand at Te Waiariki Purea Trust, an organisation that focused on getting Rotorua's youth into outdoor recreation and education.
