23 years old Tania Pauline Dawson has been crowned as the winner of Miss Universe New Zealand 2016 held on 3rd September 2016. Tania succeeds Miss Universe New Zealand 2015 Samantha McClung, and will now represent New Zealand at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant.
Tania Pauline Dawson Miss Universe New Zealand 2016
The newly crowned Miss Universe New Zealand hails from Auckland and is a drama and music teacher. The final night was a night of celebrity performances and glamour. Tania defeated 19 other gorgeously stunning contestants to clinch the coveted title of Miss Universe New Zealand 2016.
The Miss Universe New Zealand 2016 pageant started with over 250 applicants registering for the pageant. Out of the 250 applicants, only 50 girls were shortlisted to move ahead in the pageant for the qualifiers. After much training and competing through a series of different tier Preliminary Competition, 20 finalists were shortlisted to move ahead in the chase to become the next Miss Universe New Zealand.
“Historically, a Miss Universe New Zealand winner became an instant celebrity and we will return that status to the title,” says Miss Universe New Zealand Executive Director, Nigel Godfrey. “The winner will enjoy a very busy and productive year-long reign working with both Miss Universe and Variety, the Children’s Charity.”
The Top 5 finalists of Miss Universe New Zealand 2016 are:
Fifth place - Jade Norman, 24, Auckland.
Fourth place - Gabrielle Kerdemelidis, 24, Christchurch
Third place - Larissa Allen, 25, Tauranga
Runner Up - Seresa Lapaz, 24, Auckland
Winner - Tania Dawson, 23, Auckland
In 1962, 1981 and in 1992 New Zealand had three semi-finalists placements. New Zealand is one of only 12 countries to win two or more Miss Photogenic awards, won by Carole Robinson (1969) and Delyse Nottle (1980).
Now coming back to your valuable feedback, do you think Tania Dawson has what it takes to be the next Miss Universe?