New Zealand is set to make a comeback at Miss Universe this year and its none other than Josh Yugen who will direct the organization under his leadership. The last time New Zealand competed at Miss Universe was in 2019 when Diamond Langi represented New Zealand but remained unplaced.

Josh Yugen is the President and the National Director of Miss Universe Bahrain, Miss Universe Pakistan and Miss Universe Egypt and this is his fourth franchise. Yugen is a Filipino who has won multiple awards as publisher of Xpedition Magazine, PR maven and celebrity producer.

Miss Universe New Zealand now has a new social media account as they announced the 2024 edition and wrote, “Anticipate a NEW shift in the tide, A NEW direction, a dream untied, In this NEW cosmic dance, we'll confide, A NEW dream about to be realized. Welcome to the exciting new chapter of Miss Universe New Zealand with House of Yugen at the helm, led by the TRUE VISIONARY Josh Yugen. Stay tuned for more details coming your way soon.”

New Zealand holds one Miss Universe crown under its belt; Lorraine Downes won the crown in 1983 for New Zealand. The 73rd edition of Miss Universe is scheduled to be held later in the year where Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua will crown her successor at the end of the event finale.