The Miss Cook Islands is the national beauty pageant in the Cook Islands organised by the Miss Cook Islands Association (MCIA).
History Early The pageant was held for the first time in 1960 and was usually held every two years. The pageant encompasses physical attributes and qualities that are seen to represent the community at large; respectability, talent and commitment to Cook Islands value.
International competitions In 1998 the Miss Cook Islands franchised the Miss Universe and Miss South Pacific licenses. The pageant was patronized by Pa Te Ariki Upokotini Marie and Ui Ariki. Between 1983 and 1999 the Miss Cook Islands winners went to the Miss Universe competition.
Today, the pageant is patronised by the First Lady Akaiti Puna, the wife of Prime Minister Henry Puna.
The Miss Cook Islands association is a non-profit organisation that owns and operates the pageant, based on Rarotonga, the Cook Islands. It has evolved into a professionally operated pageant with a passion and focus on developing young Cook Islands women to be the best versions of themselves; and giving them opportunities to showcase their talent & skill on a world stage.
'Identity & Heritage' are the core themes of the pageant, as it strives to ignite cultural pride and self-worth in Cook Islands youth. The main sponsors of the pageant include the government of the Cook Islands and the largest companies in the islands. Every year the pageant sends its top three to Miss World, Miss International and Miss Grand International competitions. In 2018, the second runner up will represent the country at Miss Grand International. The first runner up will represent the country at Miss International. The winner will represent the country at Miss World. 2020 will see the return of the pageant to Miss Universe, in addition to Miss World and Miss Grand International 2020. Miss Cook Islands 2019 coronation is scheduled for Saturday 26 October 2019 at the National Auditorium at Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
Titleholders
YearMiss Cook Islands 1960 June Taringa (Baudinet) 1961 Tara Utanga (Scott) 1972 Joanna Taria Rere 1973 Ina Manuel Karika 1979 Ellena Tavioni 1980 Moari Luka-Fortes 1981 Celine Tommy 1982 Carmena Blake (Wong) 1983 Margaret Brown (Numanga) 1984 Essie Apolonia Mokotupu 1985 Lorna Sawtell 1986 Michelle Leone Oberg 1988 Annie Wigmore 1989 Angela Manarangi 1990 Raema Chitty 1991 Jeannine Tuavera (Piri) 1993 Leilani Brown 1994 Tarita Brown 1995 Victoria (Vicky) Keil 1998 Tina Marie Vogel 2000 Louisa Mayor Browne 2002 Donna Tuarra 2004 Noovai Tylor 2006 Krystina Te-Rangi Elizabeth Kauvai 2009 Engara Melanie Amanda Gosselin 2012 Teuira Napa 2014 Felicia Rose George 2015 Natalia Short 2016 Lydia Simonis Tariu 2017 Alanna Smith 2018 Reihana Koteka-Wiki 2019 Tajiya Eikura Sahay 2025 Tiarē Henry-Anguna
International pageants representatives
Miss World Cook Islands Year Miss World Cook Islands Placement at Miss World Special award(s) Notes 2027 TBA TBA TBA 2026 Tiare Henry-Anguna Top 20 Miss World Oceania colspan=5 2019 Tajiya Eikura Sahay Top 12 Miss World Oceania 2018 Reihanna Maire Koteka-Wiki Top 30 2017 Alanna Matamaru Matenga Smith Unplaced 2016 Natalia Asinata Simahite Short Top 20 Miss World Sports colspan="5" 1990 Angela Manarang Unplaced colspan=3 1988 Annie Wigmore Unplaced 1987 Michelle Leone Oberg Unplaced
Miss International Cook Islands Year Miss International Cook Islands Placement at Miss International Special award(s) Notes 2025 Zoe Hoff Unplaced Miss Talent colspan=5 2018 Louisa Purea Unplaced 2017 Silas Tuaputa Unplaced
Miss Grand Cook Islands Miss Cook Islands acquired the license of Miss Grand Cook Islands in 2018, and the 2nd runner-up of that year's competition, Teau Moana McKenzie, was assigned to compete in the international tournament in Myanmar.
Year Miss Grand Cook Islands Placement at Miss Grand International Special award(s) Notes2026 Matangaro Tarabay colspan=2 colspan=5 2019 Pearl Lazaro colspan=2 Miss Cook Islands 2019 2nd Runner-up2018 Teau Moana McKenzieUnplacedMiss Cook Islands 2018 2nd Runner-up Notes
Past license holders Miss Universe Cook Islands Miss Cook Islands started to send a winner to Miss Universe from 1983—1999. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.
Year Miss Universe Cook Islands Placement at Miss Universe Special award(s) Notes colspan=5 1999 Tina Vogel Unplaced colspan=5 1996 Victoria Keil Unplaced 1995 Tarita Brown Unplaced 1994 Leilani Brown Unplaced colspan=5 1992 Jeannine Tuavera Unplaced 1991 Raema Chitty Unplaced colspan=5 1986 Lorna Sawtell Unplaced 1985 Essie Apolonia Mokotupu Unplaced 1984 Margaret Brown Unplaced 1983 Carmena Blake Unplaced
Miss Earth Cook Islands Year Miss Earth Cook Islands Placement at Miss Earth Special award(s) Notes colspan="5" 2026 Matangaro Tarabay TBA 2017 Mona Louisa Taio Unplaced 2016 Allanah Keri Herman-Edgar Unplaced colspan="5" 2012 Teuira Raechel Napa Unplaced
References