Christchurch woman Georgia Waddington has been crowned Miss Universe New Zealand 2026 at a grand final in Auckland.

Waddington took the title at SkyCity Theatre on Tuesday night, competing against a field of 17 finalists drawn from around the country.

She will represent New Zealand at the 75th Miss Universe pageant, the competition’s diamond anniversary, to be held at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in November.

Waddington grew up in Christchurch and went on to qualify in travel and tourism, graduating from the International Travel College of New Zealand, before launching her own digital marketing agency, Social Strategy NZ. Her first pageant was also her first title. She was crowned Miss New Zealand in 2023, having never competed before entering, after being tagged in a social media post looking for contestants.

Speaking to Chris Lynch Media in 2023, Waddington said the approach came directly from the pageant director. “I was a little bit hesitant at first, as I was like, I don’t know anything about pageants except for what I’ve seen on TV, which is nothing what it’s like,” she said.

“I had a really good chat to her. She told me everything she had achieved through her journey and it just inspired me to apply.”

She moved quickly to the international circuit, taking the Miss Photogenic award at Miss International in Japan in 2023, then reaching the top 20 as Miss Charm New Zealand in Vietnam in 2024, where she also won the Best Face award.

She also pushed back on the idea that the international circuit was cutthroat, saying she had roomed with the South African contestant.  “We got on so well, apart from the little bit of rivalry with the rugby.”

Charity work has run alongside the titles. Waddington supported Brave Charitable Trust, which raises awareness of sexual violence affecting young people, and mental health charity I Am Hope.  She is also an ambassador for Pink Ribbon New Zealand.

Reflecting on that first year, Waddington said the experience had changed what she thought was possible. “I feel like it’s opened up so many doors and I’ve just learned so much that I can take into anything I do in the future.”

Waddington succeeds Abbigail Sturgin, who held the title in 2025. The national pageant dates back to 1962. Its best known winner is Lorraine Downes, who took the title in 1983 and went on to win Miss Universe.