But there is much more to this 22-year-old beauty than pageants.
She has not competed in pageants for several years because she has been busy with her studies, moving to Auckland in 2012 to study journalism at AUT.
She graduated last year and has spent 2015 studying a full immersion te reo Maori course at Te Wananga Taiura in Auckland. Now Jessica, who is of Te Atihaunui a Paparangi descent, is an intern at TVNZ's Maori news show, Te Karere.
Her professional goal is to become a television news journalist.
But for now, Jessica is busy getting ready for Miss World New Zealand.
It takes a lot of preparation, she said. She has to work on her fitness - part of Miss World New Zealand involves a fitness competition - modelling rehearsal, and being comfortable in front of a camera.
Contestants must also raise money for charity, so Jessica took part in the Ocean Series Harbour Crossing swim to raise money for The Key To Life, a community support group that aims to change attitudes towards people with mental illness.
Then there is the work of securing sponsors for her pageant dresses.
"At the least I need two ballgowns, one swimsuit, one cocktail dress, and a national costume for Miss World New Zealand. It would cost a lot to buy good quality clothing myself," Jessica said.
When she competed in the Miss East Auckland pageant on December 13, one of her sponsors was Whanganui clothing boutique Etcetera.
Jessica said she enjoys beauty pageants because they give her confidence.
"I enjoy meeting other people. When I moved away from Whanganui and I didn't know anyone, it was nice meeting girls like myself."
-To make a donation to Jessica's charity work for The Key To Life, visit https:// www.givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/jesstkeytolifeswim.
