Miss Aotearoa reveals 'HOW I LEARNT TO LOVE MYSELF'

In her own words, Tauranga journalist Delilah Whaitiri tells how she overcame a tragic childhood to become an inspirational pageant queen

- 

The night I was crowned Miss Aotearoa National New Zealand was one of those rare, life-defining moments that seemed to happen in the blink of an eye, but had been years in the making.

I woke up that morning at an absurdly early hour, around 3am, unable to fall back asleep. My mind was buzzing with thoughts of the journey I'd been on - one that had brought me to this very moment, competing in a beauty pageant at 46 years old.

I'd worked tirelessly to prepare for this day, putting everything I had into being the best version of myself. I wasn't expecting to win, but it was exciting pushing past my insecurities as I endlessly balanced in heels for rehearsals and then the fashion show.

The bikini round, though nerve-wracking, was my favourite. It wasn't about body positivity or conforming to any standard - it was about celebrating who I'd become and the confidence I'd gained.

Years ago, I'd never have imagined myself standing on a stage, let alone celebrating my body. But at 46, I was finally proud of the way I looked and I wanted to show that, without fear or shame.

That surreal night, as I stood on stage as Miss Aotearoa in Auckland last year, I wasn’t just wearing a crown - I was carrying every battle, every heartbreak and every victory that led me there. But to truly understand the weight of that moment, you need to understand the road I walked to get there.

My identical twin Tania and I were born to my mum Maryanne, who is of mixed Welsh and Māori heritage, and my dad William, who came from a small settlement called Manutūkē, near Gisborne, where we spent much of our youth. We're of Ngāti Ruapani and Ngāti Porou descent.