‘Never give up’: Pacific girls crowned Little Miss Aotearoa winners

Two young Pacific girls have made history at the Little Miss and Mister Aotearoa New Zealand 2026 pageant, taking home two major titles.

Six-year-old Maliana Tupou Here Roi was crowned Mini Miss Aotearoa 2026, becoming the first Pacific winner of the category.

Ten-year-old Sifila Teresa Tutapu Terekia Niu was named Little Miss Aotearoa 2026 to become only the second Pacific titleholder in the competition’s history.

The two young winners joined PMN Cook Islands to speak about their winning moments.

Roi, whose heritage is from Ha’apai in Tonga and Aitutaki, Manihiki, and Rakahanga in the Cook Islands, impressed the judges through her community service at local rest homes and performing traditional Kūki ‘Āirani dance taught by Niu’s mother, Tutapu Niu.

“I was happy…I won,” Roi says, adding that her highlight of the competition was “the dancing”.

For Niu, the journey was about connection. When asked what she enjoyed most, she said, "when I made friends and helped her [Roi]."

Behind both girls stands a dedicated village of proud supporters, including Roi’s mother Anaseini Loiloisolo, her father, and manager Kayne Strickland, and Niu’s parents Tutapu Teariki and Joshua Niu.

Loiloisolo acknowledged all the grandparents and wider family members who also played a big part in supporting Roi with her fundraising efforts.

Watch Maliana Roi and Sifila Niu's full interview below.

Loiloisolo tells PMN Tonga that while competing internationally is a possibility they want their little girl who dreams of being a police officer one day to enjoy life as is.

“As Maliana's only six, we're wanting her to kind of explore all her options,” she says. “But also be a child at the same time. I think that's really important.

“I think the family are kind of talking amongst themselves and seeing whether that might be a good opportunity for Maliana moving forward. We're just still doing our part and making sure that she's set for the future.”

Niu says the biggest takeaway from her experience has been her journey of personal growth. "To gain my confidence, my confidence of being myself, and not to give up on myself,” Niu says.

Their message to other young girls dreaming big is to keep going. Or as Niu puts it, “Never give up on yourself while you're doing something, and try your best."

As they celebrate their success, both girls hope their journey encourages other young Pacific children to believe in themselves, work harder and never give up.