MADGALENA ELIZABETH SCHOEMAN, 18 YEAR OLD BEAUTY THERAPIST FROM CHRISTCHURCH IS THE NEWLY CROWNED MISS WORLD NEW ZEALAND 2009

AUCKLAND - Madgalena Elizabeth Schoeman, a 18-year old beauty therapist from Christchurch, was crowned Miss World New Zealand during an event held at the Dorothy Winstone Centre on April 25th.

Magdalena, who also works as a model, stands 1.73 m tall, and will represent the country at the Miss World 2009 pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa, December 13th. Complete results:

MAGDALENA SCHOEMAN, Miss World New Zealand 2009, will represent NZ at Miss World finals in Johannesburg, South Africa.

1st Runner Up: NATALIE SANGSTER, will represent New Zealand at Miss Tourism Queen International 2009 finals in Zhengzhou, China.

2nd Runner Up; KYLA HEI HEI, will represent NZ at Miss Leisure World 2009 competition in Changchun, China

3rd Runner Up: LEILANI MARSTERS, will represent NZ at Miss International Model of the Year 2009 finals in Seoul, Korea

4th Runner Up: HANNAH MATTHEWS, will represent NZ at Miss Global Beauty Queen 2009 finals in Harbin, China

Fast Track Winners or the 8 Finalists:

Hannah Matthews - Beach Beauty
Kyla Hei Hei - Best in Talent
Leilani Marsters - Top Model
Jannat Kaur - Beauty with a Purpose

Magdalena Schoeman
Natalie Sangster
Geneva Lowe
Nicole Millar

Special Awards:

Magdalena Schoeman - Miss Photogenic
Hannah Matthews - Best in Production Number
Malorie Cooney - Miss Personality
Hazel Kidiwala - Miss Friendship
Sunobha Nair - Pepole's Choice

Subsidiary Titles:

Kyla Hei Hei - Best National Costume
Magdalena Schoeman - Best Evening Gown

(Thank you and credits to http://www.missworld.co.nz/ , http://www.globalbeauties.com and all sources for the information and picture)

22-YEAR OLD KATIE TAYLOR IS THE NEWLY CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE NEW ZEALAND 2009 AT THE LEVIN EVENT'S CENTRE ON APRIL 25, 2009

WELLINGTON - April 27, 2009 - (JY&A Media) Aucklander Katie Taylor, 22, sponsored by Southern First National of Manurewa, won Miss Universe New Zealand 2009 at the Levin Events’ Centre on Saturday.

Miss Taylor is a construction project manager and a qualified pilot.

She begins work today back in Auckland, replacing her ball gown and tiara with a reflective jacket and hard hat, in the lead-up to Miss Universe 2009 on August 23 at Paradise Island, the Bahamas.

This was her second attempt at the national title, having placed in the top five in 2007.

She says, ‘I have never won anything before, but I gave it everything I had. ‘I’m looking forward to working on getting ready for the finals in the Bahamas, and to doing my country proud.’

Crowd favourite, 18-year-old Priyani Puketapu, Miss Horowhenua, was judged first runner-up. Anthea Stembridge, 19, sponsored by Ultimate Transport Solutions, was second runner-up.

Miss Universe New Zealand pageant director Val Lott says she is ‘delighted’ by the judges’ choices for the top three places.

The judges were impressed by Miss Taylor’s natural conversation in her interview, which was held privately at the Horowhenua District Council Buildings on April 24.

She also wowed the panel of five judges with her performance on the night, in particular in the eveningwear segment.

Pageant judge Jack Yan, publisher of Lucire and the chairman of the international jury for Miss Sweden, says the 2009 pageant was the toughest he had seen in his three years with Miss Universe New Zealand.

‘The winners were separated by the slimmest of margins. When we walked back into the hall, we had no idea how the top five would be ordered,’ he says.

Miss Manawatu, Samantha Elvy—another crowd favourite—and Miss Taupo, Cathrine Mitchell, rounded off the top five.

The judging panel was led by Di Goldsworthy of the Newmarket Business Association, and included Horowhenua District Mayor Brendan Duffy, make-up artist and agency placement manager for Talent Scouts Ltd. Evana Patterson, and former Miss Horowhenua and businesswoman Suzanne Cottle.

Ms Lott says that she was thrilled at the welcome the pageant received in Levin, rather than its traditional home in Auckland, complimenting mayor Brendan Duffy and the Council for their welcome.

The Abba Touring Group, led by Aaron Keown, performed live at the Events’ Centre.

An informal after-party for Miss Taylor and the other contestants was held at the Retro Bar in Paraparaumu. Courtesy of Scoop.co.nz and Stuff.co.nz

(Thank you and credits to http://www.globalbeauties.com and all sources for the information and picture)