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MISS
SAMOA NZ 2006 BEAUTIES CELEBRATE CULTURE |
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By Peter Rees |
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Her brother
Eliota made headlines on the rugby field last year with the Manu
Samoa team. But he's not the only sibling in the Fuimaono-Sapolu
household grabbing attention. Sister Josiefina now has her turn in
the limelight after she was crowned Miss Samoa New Zealand 2006 on 6
May at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau, South
Auckland.
Despite not winning any of the individual categories, Josiefina was
a consistent mix of grace, poise and elegance in front of an
audience of around 700 people.
Auckland University student Lydia Eneliko, 19, was runner up but
took some consolation in winning all three dress categories; the
best traditional wear, best sarong and best puletasi categories.
Second runner up (3rd) was Iokapeta Fesolai, a 19 year-old student
studying Law and Politics, who also won the best interview category.
Sau Taa Tuvalu, a 23 year-old catering supervisor hailing from
Nofoalii, was the third runner up. She deservedly won the Miss
Personality award also.
The fourth runner up went to 19 year-old Mililani Tofa from Saipipi
and Palauli, Savaii.
Despite missing out on the main prize, three contestants were
selected to represent Samoa New Zealand at the Miss NZ Asia Pacific
Tourism Pageant. They were; Lydia Eneliko, Iokapeta Fesolai and
Mililani Tofa. The trio will also represent Samoa NZ in China at
another international pageant as well as the Miss Earth in Chile.
The evening was enhanced by the presence of renowned Samoan
entertainers NZ Idol Rosita Vai and cabaret headliner Cindy of Samoa
accompanied by the ‘Von Trapp Family Singers’.
Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
was among the many personalities and dignitaries in the audience.
The judges for the evening included some prominent Pacific faces in
the community. They were Stephen Stehlin (Tagata Pasifika), Louis
Thomson (Fashion Designer), Aomala Epati Pou Lefale (Performing
Arts), Mary Jane McGibbon-Schwenke (Former Miss Samoa/South
Pacific), Richard Moyle |
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Miss Samoa NZ 2006 Josiefina Fuimaono-Sapolu
with 1st runner up Lydia Eneliko, 2nd up Iokapeta Fesolai, 3rd
up Sau Taa Tuvalu, 4th runner up Mililani Tofa.
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Two of the favorites on the night Iokapeta fesolai in the sarong
category and Lydia Eneliko in the
puletasi category.
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Hon. Luamanuvao Winnie Laban presenting prizes, two of the
judges Teleiai and Mary-Jane, outgoing Miss Samoa 2005 and
pageant Director Sala Sally Newshan. |
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(Director, Archive of
Maori and Pacific Music, Auckland University) and Teleiai Edwin Puni
(Event Polynesia).
The pageant was also an opportunity to display the works of the top
New Zealand Samoan fashion designers.
But there was no doubting the overall winner who inherits the crown
from last year’s popular winner Merelina Saseve.
Hailing from Fa’atoia, Vaiala, Fagaloa and Faga, Josiefina is more
than meets the eye. She may be a pretty face on the surface but she
has the brains to match being a qualified lawyer and part time
magazine editor. Throw in her list of hobbies which range from
gardening and swimming to rapping and you get the idea she is a
mover and shaker destined for a bright future.
The 24 year-old beauty queen is ambitious and spontaneous. She also
embraces life according to the old adage "Seize the day" making her
an appropriate choice to represent the New Zealand Samoan community
at the upcoming Miss Teuila (formerly Miss Samoa) pageant in
September.
Josiefina is mindful of the cultural significance that comes with
carrying the title of Miss Samoa NZ when she travels to Samoa. This
she alluded to in her pre-pageant comments.
"It's unfortunate how much of our “Samoan-ness” seems lost in todays
palagi-dominated society, particularly our knowledge of language,"
she explained.
"Hence the benefit of having the pageant, which celebrates service
to our Samoan community and encourages development of our knowledge
of Fa’asamoa."
For winning Miss Samoa NZ, Josiefina not only won the mandatory sash
and trophy, she also received NZ$1000 in cash, a gold watch, a
NZ$2000 wardrobe and return tickets to Samoa with accommodation and
meals included.
She performs her first official duties at the Samoa Independence
Celebrations on 5 June as an invited guest. While in Samoa, she will
also be taking part in Samoa Island Run in Apia on 10 June.
The Miss Samoa NZ pageant started in Auckland in 1991 and has been
under the direction of Sally Sala Newsham since 1994. This was when
the Franchise for the NZ Regional Miss Samoa NZ was assigned to
Sally from the Samoan Government and Tourism Department.
Up until 2001, the New Zealand winner travelled directly to the Miss
South Pacific until a rule change in 2002 meant the winner had to
compete in the Miss Samoa, now the Miss Teuila.
In the three months leading up to the pageant, contestants attended
many workshops to bring them up to speed with Samoan culture and
upgrade their ability to perform the Siva Samoa, speak Samoan, and
learn Samoan protocol. Contestants built up their confidence by
improving their public speaking and interviewing skills. They also
received grooming and fashion tips.
According to organisers, the pageant is a “dynamic and colourful
event” dedicated to “moulding our Samoan women to reach their full
potential as future leaders and role models of our communities.”
“We instil in the hearts and minds of our beautiful contestants, the
Aganuu or culture of our island nation” said the Director of the
Miss Samoa NZ, Sala Sally Newsham.
“All of them leave the Miss Samoa NZ with a better understanding of
who they are as Samoan New Zealanders”.
Past winners and contestants of the Miss Samoa NZ have gone on to
become lawyers, business owners, teachers, radio announcers, flight
attendants, actresses, models and of course mothers.
The organisers paid tribute to the contestants, the sponsors, and
all people involved who made the annual event a resounding success.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd. 2005
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