PICK OF THE DAY

Beauty School professor Miss Scribner makes today's Pick of the Day - Ria van Dyke, Miss Universe New Zealand. Here is Ria posing with a painting titled "Morning Song" by artist Dave Sotogi, that she brought as her national gift for the Miss Universe National Gift Auction in Las Vegas, Nevada August 14, 2010. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Nevada Cancer Institute. (Photo: Reuters)

MISS UNIVERSE NEW ZEALAND 2010

Miss Econo Heat, Ria van Dyke, 21, of Auckland, topped 12 competitors to take the Miss Universe New Zealand 2010 title on Saturday, with Miss East Auckland Danijela Unkovich placing runner up and Miss Auckland Caren Freeman second runner up. Ria said it was "a real honour" to win the pageant. "I plan to do this beautiful country proud at Miss Universe." She wowed the judges through a series of tasks, including an interview on Friday during preliminary judging, strutting in a bikini and evening wear before the audience, dancing on stage to the Copacabana along with her competitors. (Source: NZPA)

OFF TO SEE THE WORLD

Miss World Philippines 2009 Maria-Ann Umali waves to adoring crowds before she jets off to Miss World

Miss World New Zealand Magdalena Schoeman and her world-class luggage

Miss World Malta Shanel Debattista gets her ticket to the World

Miss World Czech Republic 2009 Aneta Vignerova packs in advance of her world tour

MISS UNIVERSE NEW ZEALAND 2009

Aucklander Katie Taylor, 22, sponsored by Southern First National of Manurewa, won Miss Universe New Zealand 2009 at the Levin Events’ Centre last night. Katie is a construction project manager and a qualified pilot. She begins work today back in Auckland, replacing her ball gown and tiara with a reflective jacket and hard hat, in the lead-up to Miss Universe 2009 on August 23 at Paradise Island, the Bahamas. This was her second attempt at the national title, having placed in the top five in 2007. She says, ‘I have never won anything before, but I gave it everything I had. ‘I’m looking forward to working on getting ready for the finals in the Bahamas, and to doing my country proud.’

Crowd favourite, 18-year-old Priyani Puketapu, Miss Horowhenua, was 1st runner-up. Anthea Stembridge, 19, sponsored by Ultimate Transport Solutions, was 2nd runner-up. Miss Universe New Zealand pageant director Val Lott says she is ‘delighted’ by the judges’ choices for the top three places. The judges were impressed by Miss Taylor’s natural conversation in her interview, which was held privately at the Horowhenua District Council Buildings on April 24. She also wowed the panel of five judges with her performance on the night, in particular in the evening gown competition. (Source: Lucire)

RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES - 1971