Lineup for Miss Pacific almost complete after Fiji, PNG crown queens

The final line-up for the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2026 is taking shape, with national competitions across the region producing most of the contestants.

Fiji crowned Dr Peggy Ravuisiro in Suva on Saturday and Papua New Guinea named Iampela Popena as their representative in Port Moresby last week.

They join American Sāmoa’s Tofoipupū Unutoa, Micronesia's Atiterentaai Rinimarawa from Kiribati, Tonga’s Siosiana Patricia Taumoepeau, and Sāmoa’s Feagaimaali’i Soti Mapu for next year's regional pageant. Only the Cook Islands has yet to announce its queen for the 2026 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant.

Speaking after her win, Ravuisiro, who has links to PNG, described the crown as more than a title. “We work together and make sure to show our veilomani to each other.”

Ravuisiro plans to use her platform to strengthen family communication, community unity and address social issues.

She also encouraged young people to face challenges with courage, avoid a victim mindset, and believe that perseverance leads to growth and empowerment.

Miss American Sāmoa 2025, Tofoipupū Unutoa and Miss Tonga 2025, Siosiana Patricia Taumoepeau, will compete at the 2026 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant. Photo/Facebook/Miss Pacific Islands

Ravuisiro will represent Fiji at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in February.

Popena, crowned Miss Bird of Paradise PNG 2025–26 in December. The 19-year-old, a second-year economics student at the University of Papua New Guinea, represented the Western Highlands Province at the national competition.

Popena says she hopes to use the regional stage to promote PNG’s culture, education and opportunities for young people.

Miss Micronesia Atiterentaai Rinimarawa from Kiribati and Miss Sāmoa 2025 Feagaimaali’i Soti Mapu. Photo/Facebook/Miss Pacific Islands

She stresses the importance of representing her country with pride at the Pacific level and plans to engage with community initiatives throughout the competition.

The 37th Miss Pacific Islands Pageant will be held from 13 to 20 February 2026 in Nadi, Fiji. Organisers say the field is nearly complete, with most countries having crowned their queens in recent weeks.

In early October, Miss Pacific Islands Pageant officials announced they were waiting on the crowning of the Cook Islands, Sāmoa, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Sāmoa, PNG, and Fiji have now crowned their representatives, leaving only the Cook Islands to complete the national line-up.

Miss Sāmoa 2025 Feagaimaali’i Soti Mapu says she aims to showcase her culture and empower young people across the Pacific through her participation in the 2026 pageant.

American Sāmoa’s Tofoipupū Unutoa says she will highlight the strength and talent of women in her country during the pageant in Fiji.

Watch Litara Ieremia-Allan's speech at the Miss Fiji Pageant in Suva below.

Tonga’s Siosiana Patricia Taumoepeau hopes to represent the kingdom with pride and inspire confidence in young wāhine across the Pacific.

Reigning Miss Pacific Islands Litara Ieremia-Allan from Samoa attended the Miss Fiji event this weekend and spoke about the leadership aspect of the title.

“On the outside, it’s seen as a beauty pageant, but the real goal is about leadership,” she told guests, describing the platform as a chance to uplift Pacific voices and inspire young women to take on leadership roles.

Fiji will host the pageant for the first time in seven years. Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa says the event will feature contestants from more than 10 Pacific nations, showcasing the region’s talent, culture, and leadership potential.

The pageant week will include cultural exchanges, performances and community engagement, culminating in the crowning of Miss Pacific Islands 2026 in Nadi.

Watch Litara Ieremia-Allan perform at the Miss Fiji Pageant in Suva below.