Harlem-Cruz Ihaia (NEW ZEALAND 2017)

**Wojtek** Sun Aug 13, 2017 2:50 pm

Harlem-Cruz Ihaia (19, 1.75m) is Miss Universe New Zealand 2017

**Wojtek** Sun Aug 13, 2017 2:50 pm

Nineteen-year-old Harlem-Cruz Atarangi Ihaia entered this year's Miss Universe New Zealand beauty pageant to try and break the stereotype of young Māori, she has now been named Miss Universe New Zealand 2017.

"When I first started this my aim was to break stereotypes of young Māori now with my journey I want to break the stereotypes of a pageant girl or Miss Universe New Zealand and some, at some of my events they tell me I have to dress up and wear my tiara, I’m like no, who said that I have to do that?"

She says she went there with a strong belief in her Māoritanga and if they didn't like it, she would've left that competition because she really wanted to stay true to her Māori culture throughout the whole thing, it's something she says sets her apart from the other girls.

**Wojtek** Sun Aug 13, 2017 2:51 pm

**mamshie** Sun Aug 13, 2017 7:50 pm

Wojtek wrote:
Nineteen-year-old Harlem-Cruz Atarangi Ihaia entered this year's Miss Universe New Zealand beauty pageant to try and break the stereotype of young Māori, she has now been named Miss Universe New Zealand 2017.

"When I first started this my aim was to break stereotypes of young Māori now with my journey I want to break the stereotypes of a pageant girl or Miss Universe New Zealand and some, at some of my events they tell me I have to dress up and wear my tiara, I’m like no, who said that I have to do that?"

She says she went there with a strong belief in her Māoritanga and if they didn't like it, she would've left that competition because she really wanted to stay true to her Māori culture throughout the whole thing, it's something she says sets her apart from the other girls.

Her story is a shoo in for the new Miss Universe era