The most beautiful woman in the world

4 May 2008

Kahurangi Taylor last night confirmed what her parents always knew, when she won Miss World New Zealand.

'He taonga mâpuna na te iwi' said Dr Sharples.

"Kahurangi has lived up to her name - meaning variously precious jewel, treasured taonga, the darling of her whanau".

And Mâori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples was pretty chuffed as well, proud that this stunning daughter of Ngâti Te Ata, Waiohua and Te Waiariki (Panguru), Te Rarawa and Pâkehâ whakapapa, is also a daughter of the Mâori Party.

"We are all delighted with the success of this beautiful young woman" said Dr Sharples. "Kahurangi has the reo, the talents and the tautoko to go far, and this success is a sure sign of her destiny ahead".

Kahurangi attended Te Rumaki Reo at Pukekohe North, Te Kura Kaupapa Mâori o Waiuku and is currently a seventh former at Auckland Girls Grammar School.

"And what's more, she has been a proud member of the Mâori Party since thirteen years of age" said Dr Sharples. "It just goes to show - if you're part of the Mâori Party, the world's your oyster!!".

Kahurangi will travel to the world final in Ukraine in October.

Ends

Background:

The Miss World pageant, in its 58th year, has not been contested in New Zealand for three years. In 2000 the pageant abandoned the swimsuit parade and shifted its focus to contestants' brains and career ambition.

The New Zealand Asia Pacific Trust bought the Miss World New Zealand franchise last October. This year's pageant aims to raise $10,000 towards refurbishment of Auckland's Starship children's hospital oncology ward.

21 girls paid a $500 fee to represent their sponsor.

ENDS

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