Eye of the beholder: Are beauty pageants making a comeback?
9 Jan, 2021 03:08 AM
6 minutes to read
Lorraine Downes is crowned Miss Universe in 1983.
By: Aroha Awarau
COMMENT:
Beauty pageants have long been an anachronism, yet as they become more inclusive, it seems they are finding a new audience. By Aroha Awarau. I was 7 in 1983 when Lorraine Downes became the first New Zealand woman to be crowned Miss Universe. It was a huge deal. The TV news led with the victory and reported the moment as if the 18-year-old had won an Olympic gold medal.
Then-prime minister Robert Muldoon added to Downes status by comparing her win to the Kiwi league team beating the Kangaroos two days earlier. Congratulations, all New Zealanders are very proud of you, he wrote in a telegram after Downes was crowned. Beating the Australians at rugby league and now the world at beauty, poise and charm. Well done!
The year in news reviewed, part three: Stories that shaped 2020
In the final part of our look back at 2020 we revisit the big stories of the last three months. Read Part one and Part two.
October
Having emerged from a mini-lockdown, New Zealand has a Covid general election looming on 17 October. Political leaders are on the road campaigning, albeit in a socially-distanced way.
The month started with a ferocious wildfire in the Mackenzie Basin.
“Like winning the lotto” that’s how a Lake Ōhau couple described discovering their pets alive and well days after they were separated by fire.
Residents frantically tried to find and bring their pets with them as they fled the embers and flames that swept through the village on 5 October.