Simrandeep Kaur stood patiently on stage throughout the entire Miss Rotorua results ceremony, the only contestant yet to receive a crown as others were awarded titles in various categories.
Then, finally, her name was called - as the winner of Miss Rotorua 2024.
The self-confessed introvert told the Rotorua Daily Post afterwards: “If I can get on stage, anyone can.”
Throughout the prizegiving, winners and runners-up were announced for different categories, leaving Kaur as the only contestant without a crown. She described her feelings during the wait as a mix of hope and anxiety.
“I wanted to win at least one crown, any crown,” she told The New Zealand Herald.
As one of 20 contestants vying for titles such as ‘Miss Congeniality’, ‘Miss Community’, and ‘Miss Personality’, Kaur found the wait challenging. “It was not a great feeling, but I thought, okay, hopefully, I’ll get something.”
Haylee Van der Maat was named the second runner-up, and Amiamor Harrison the first runner-up.
Kaur, who works at BDO accounting firm in Rotorua as part of the audit team, said she was not an outgoing person before entering the competition.
“I’d rather stay in my room, do something at home instead of going out. I’m not really the first person to go up and talk to other people. If I meet someone new, I stay away. It takes me time to warm up,” she said.
The eight weeks of training with other contestants, which included walking in heels, taking etiquette classes, and practicing interviews, helped Kaur come out of her shell.
“My sister participated two years ago. Seeing her shine and improve her personality inspired me to do the same.”
Kaur said her experience with the Miss Rotorua Foundation had been transformative. “It has been a great experience because the other participants are encouraging and point out where you can improve,” she said.
Born and raised in India, Kaur moved to New Zealand four years ago. “Rotorua has been my home since then,” she said.
Proudly wearing a traditional Indian lehenga for the evening dress round, Kaur felt honored to represent her culture in the pageant. “It is a really proud moment for me to go up there and let people know that India is versatile, with many cultures and people. Just like New Zealand, it brings everyone together.”
Relieving last year’s winner, Pareuruora Rangirangi, of the biggest crown, Kaur looks forward to the year ahead, connecting with more people in the community and serving as Miss Rotorua.
“I would like to tell everyone to love yourself. Love everyone around you. Help everyone, help yourself, and just enjoy your life,” Kaur said.
Other Winners:
- Best Talent: Pikirangi Ellis
- Best Evening Wear: Chaneeka Rose Mortlock
- Best Interview: Nadia Mason
- Best Q&A: Reese Puata Mahia
- Miss Fashion: Diamond Te Kiri
- Miss Personality: Aroha Mohi
- Miss Top Model: Kataraina Bovorich
- Miss Photogenic: Amiamor Harrison
- Most Improved 2024: Briar Holden
- Miss People’s Choice: Rihi Turner
- Miss Congeniality: Brena Johnston
- Miss Community: Nadia Mason
- Miss Teen Rotorua: Pare Anderson
- Miss Teen First Runner-Up: Zimara Warren
- Miss Teen Second Runner-Up: Kataraina Bovorich
- Miss Multicultural Rotorua: Deneé Pikari
- Miss Multicultural First Runner-Up: Reese Puata-Mahia
- Miss Multicultural Second Runner-Up: Briar Holden
- Miss Mana Wahine: Danielle Clarke
- Miss Mana Wahine First Runner-Up: Brena Johnston
- Miss Mana Wahine Second Runner-Up: Elaina Hargreaves
- Mrs Rotorua 2024: Kharmell Tawa
- Mrs Rotorua First Runner-Up: Chaneeka Rose Mortlock
- Mrs Rotorua Second Runner-Up: Aroha Mohi
- Miss Te Arawa 2024: Rihi Turner
- Miss Te Arawa First Runner-Up: Pikirangi Ellis
- Miss Te Arawa Second Runner-Up: Te Mou Brown
- Miss Bay Of Plenty 2024: Diamond Te Kiri
- Miss Rotorua 2024: Simrandeep Kaur
- Miss Rotorua First Runner-Up: Amiamor Harrison
- Miss Rotorua Second Runner-Up: Haylee Van Der Maat
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