Miss Cook Islands
{{Short description|Beauty pageant}}
{{Infobox Organization
|name = Miss Cook Islands Association (MCIA)
Maine Kuki Airani
|formation = 1960
|type = Beauty pageant
|headquarters = Avarua
|location = Cook Islands
|membership = {{Hlist|Miss World|Miss Universe|Miss International|Miss Grand International}}
|language = English
|leader_title = President
|leader_name = Dianna Clarke-Bates
|num_staff =
|website = [http://www.misscookislands.com/ www.misscookislands.com]
}}
The Miss Cook Islands is the national beauty pageant in the Cook Islands in under Miss Cook Islands Association (MCIA). The current reigning titleholder is Tajiya Sahay who was crowned in October 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.thecoconet.tv/moana-arts/pacific-island-beauty-pageants-1/miss-cook-islands-2019-tajiya-sahay/ |title=MISS COOK ISLANDS 2019 - TAJIYA SAHAY |publisher=The Coconet |access-date=25 December 2020}}
History
=Early=
The Maine Kuki Airani (Miss Cook Islands) national pageant was held for the first time in 1960 and was usually happening in every two years.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} In the Miss Cook Islands pageant, beauty encompasses physical attributes and qualities that are seen to represent the community at large; respectability, talent and commitment to Cook Islands value. An yet, competing for the representative role of Miss Cook Islands necessitates that the participants negotiate contradictory moral proscriptions that define Cook Islands femininity.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SdmBdhq6l-gC&q=miss+cook+islands+1960&pg=PT113|title=Dancing from the Heart: Movement, Gender, and Cook Islands Globalization|first=Kalissa|last=Alexeyeff|date=18 October 2018|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=9780824832445|access-date=18 October 2018|via=Google Books}}
=International competitions=
In 1998 the Miss Cook Islands franchised the Miss Universe and Miss South Pacific licenses. The Miss Cook Islands 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, Miss Cook Islands is patronised by the First Lady - Mrs Akaiti Puna - the wife of Prime Minister - Hon. Henry Puna. Miss Cook Islands Association ('MCIA') is a non-profit organisation that owns and operates the Miss Cook Islands Pageant, based on Rarotonga, the Cook Islands. It has evolved into a professionally operated pageant with a passion & 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 Miss Cook Islands as the pageant strives to ignite cultural pride & 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 Cook Islands. {{cite web|url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/features/entertainment/item/54536-miss-cook-islands-prepares-for-miss-world|title=Miss Cook Islands prepares for Miss World|author=Matariki Wilson|website=Cookislandnews.com|access-date=18 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/local/item/64643-strong-line-up-for-miss-cook-islands-title|title=Strong line up for Miss Cook Islands title|website=Cookislandnews.com|access-date=18 October 2018}} Every year the Miss Cook Islands prepares the Top 3 to Miss World, Miss International and Miss Grand International competitions. 2018, 2nd Runner up will represent the country at Miss Grand International; 1st Runner up will represent the country at Miss International; Miss Cook Islands will represent the country at Miss World. 2020 will see the return of Miss Cook Islands 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
class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center"
!width="60"|Year | width="250"|Miss Cook Islands{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/entertainment/miss-cook-islands-don-t-be-pretentious/ |title=Miss Cook Islands: 'Don't be pretentious' |author=Melina Etches |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=28 September 2018 |access-date=25 December 2020}} |
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 |
International pageants representatives
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared as Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Ended as special awards winner
}}
=Miss World Cook Islands =
::The Miss Cook Islands wears the title of Miss World Cook Islands. She will yearly represent her country at the annual Miss World competition.
class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center"
!width="60" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Miss World Cook Islands !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Placement at Miss World !width="230" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Special Awards !width="230" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Notes |
2025
| colspan=5 {{TBA}} |
colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2000—2024}} |
style="background-color:#FFFF99; "
| 2019 | Top 12 | |
style="background-color:#FFFF99; "
| 2018 | Reihanna Maire Koteka-Wiki{{cite web |url=https://www.teaomaori.news/miss-cook-islands-koteka-wiki-places-top-30-world |title=Miss Cook Islands Koteka-Wiki places Top 30 in the World |author=Tema Hemi |publisher=Te Ao Māori|date=9 December 2018 |access-date=25 December 2020}} | Top 30 | | |
2017
| Alanna Matamaru Matenga Smith | Unplaced | | |
style="background-color:#FFFF99; "
| 2016 | Natalia Asinata Simahite Short | Top 20 | |
colspan="5" {{n/a|Did not compete between 1991 — 2015}} |
1990
| Angela Manarang | Unplaced | | |
{{n/a|1989}}
| colspan=3 {{n/a|Did not compete}} | {{n/a| }} |
1988
| Annie Wigmore | Unplaced | | |
1987
| Michelle Leone Oberg | Unplaced | | |
=Miss Universe Cook Islands =
::Miss Cook Islands has 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.
class="wikitable " style="font-size: 95%;"
!width="60" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Miss Universe Cook Islands !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Placement at Miss Universe !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Special Awards !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Notes |
2024
| colspan=5 {{TBA}} |
colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2000—2023}} |
1999
| Tina Vogel | Unplaced | | |
colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 1997—1998}} |
1996
| Victoria Keil | Unplaced | | |
1995
| Tarita Brown | Unplaced | | |
1994
| Leilani Brown | Unplaced | | |
colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete in 1993}} |
1992
| Jeannine Tuavera | Unplaced | | |
1991
| Raema Chitty | Unplaced | | |
colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete between 1987—1990}} |
1986
| Lorna Sawtell | Unplaced | | |
1985
| Essie Apolonia Mokotupu | Unplaced | | |
1984
| Margaret Brown | Unplaced | | |
1983
| Carmena Blake | 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/local/mckenzie-in-myanmar-for-miss-grand-international/|title=McKenzie in Myanmar for Miss Grand International|date=10 October 2018|accessdate=19 September 2023|author=Rashneel Kumar|archivedate=22 March 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322023343/https://www.cookislandsnews.com/local/mckenzie-in-myanmar-for-miss-grand-international/|publisher=Cook Islands News}}{{cite web|url=https://thanhnien.vn/nu-van-dong-vien-olympic-dang-quang-miss-grand-cook-islands-2018-185790906.htm|title=Nữ vận động viên Olympic đăng quang 'Miss Grand Cook islands 2018'|date=23 September 2018|accessdate=19 September 2023|language=vi|author=Thanh Tuyền|publisher=Thanh Niên|archivedate=18 September 2023|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230918213754/https://thanhnien.vn/nu-van-dong-vien-olympic-dang-quang-miss-grand-cook-islands-2018-185790906.htm}}
=Miss Earth Cook Islands=
class="wikitable" style="font-size: 92%; text-align:center"
!width="60" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Miss Earth Cook Islands !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Placement at Earth !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Special Awards !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Notes |
colspan="5" {{n/a|Did not compete since 2018 — Present}} |
2017
| Mona Louisa Taio | Unplaced | | |
2016
| Allanah Keri Herman-Edgar | Unplaced | | |
colspan="5" {{n/a|Did not compete between 2013 — 2015}} |
2012
| Teuira Raechel Napa | Unplaced | | |
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Miss Universe countries and territories}}
{{Miss World countries and territories}}
{{Miss International countries and territories}}
{{Miss Earth countries and territories}}
{{Navboxes|
| title = Miss Grand International participating countries and territories
| list =
{{Miss Grand national pageants in Africa}}
{{Miss Grand national pageants in Asia and Oceania}}
{{Miss Grand national pageants in Europe}}
{{Miss Grand national pageants in North America}}
{{Miss Grand national pageants in South America}}
}}