Miss Cook Islands Ngatepaeru Marie Maoate was awarded fourth runner-up at the 38th Miss Pacific Islands Pageant held in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Miss Samoa Litara Ieremia Allan was crowned the new Miss Pacific Islands for 2025 also taking home the Miss Photogenic and the Best Interview Award.

Miss Tonga Racheal Guttenbeil was awarded first runner-up, and Miss American Samoa, Pauliana Felise-Vitale claimed the title of second runner-up while Miss Solomon Islands Elsie Polosovai was the third runner-up.

Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association (MCIPA) congratulated Maoate Miss Cook Islands for an amazing MPIP2025 campaign.

Clee Marsters, president of the MCIPA said Maoate represented the country with grace, pose and humility.

“The Cook Islands should all be proud of her. She competed against seven other beautiful, articulate and well-rounded national beauty queens.

“Ngatepaeru only had six weeks to prepare for the pageant which meant training and coaching had to be condensed and in such a way as to not put added pressure onto her. She proved to us all that with some extra work and focus, she was able to produce such a good result, 4th runner-up.

“MCIPA would like to thank her team, Chaperone Jane Rubena, costumes Kura Taruia, her mum Tu, Tangi Mataroa (NZ committee), and Darren Tamarua all from Auckland and Kenzo who flew in from Perth.

“There are numerous other people in Rarotonga and New Zealand who assisted with her campaign. Those who supplied resources for the beautiful costumes, those who bought tickets and supported and fundraisers. Those who continue to support MCIPA, Maine Kūki ʻAirani Aotearoa (MKAA), we say Meitaki Atupaka. God Bless.” Fiji is expected to host the 2026 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant.