Pacific queens gather in Fiji as pageant spotlight turns on regional issues

With all regional queens now in Fiji, the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2026 is underway in Nadi, bringing together contestants from across the moana for a week.

The lineup this year includes: Miss American Sāmoa Tofoi Unutoa, Miss Cook Islands Petra Mataiti, Miss Fiji Ailava Samuels, Miss Kiribati Atinterentaai Rinimarawa, Miss Papua New Guinea Iampela Popena, Miss Sāmoa Feagaimaali'i Soti Mapu, and Miss Tonga Siosi’ana Taumoepeau.

The Solomon Islands withdrew from this year's contest, citing unresolved issues linked to last year’s pageant in Honiara and ongoing concerns raised by organisers about transparency and fairness in judging.

Organisers say the event blends culture, competition, and serious discussion on shared Pacific challenges.

Nearly a decade since Fiji last crowned a Miss Pacific Islands in 2016, the country is once again hosting the regional event, welcoming queens from seven Pacific Island nations.

Ana Tuiketei, director of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2026, says the event has evolved into a platform for diplomacy, leadership, and cultural exchange.

Photo/Miss Pacific Islands pageant

Tuiketei told local media the arrival of the queens marked an important moment for Fiji and the wider Pacific.

“We’re thrilled to welcome seven other Pacific Island countries to Fiji," she said. "This week, we’ll showcase the best of our cultures, promote friendship, and give our queens a chance to shine on a truly international platform."

Tuiketei said audiences across the Pacific would also be given a closer look at the work behind the scenes.

Watch the 2026 lineup of contestants for the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant.

"We’re also excited to welcome the other Miss Pacific Islands Queens, and due to their partnership, we will also be showcasing everything behind the scenes and all the activities during the pageant,” Tuiketei said.

Beyond the public events, contestants are now preparing for their research presentations, a key part of the competition that focuses on issues affecting Pacific communities.

The early release of research topics has given queens time to prepare before presenting on Thursday.

This year’s research topics include:

• Miss Tonga - Environment and Climate Change

• Miss American Sāmoa - Education

• Miss Papua New Guinea - Youth Empowerment

• Miss Sāmoa - Bullying (Physical and Cyber)

• Miss Cook Islands - Culture

• Miss Kiribati - Sports Development

• Miss Fiji - Drug and Crime

Miss Tonga Siosi’ana Taumoepeau leads the prayer at dinner on Sunday. Photo/Facebook

One of the queens already attracting attention is Papua New Guinea’s Miss Bird of Paradise, Iampela Popena, who arrived in Fiji following a strong national win late last year.

The 19-year-old economics student from Western Highlands Province won multiple awards at the Miss Bird of Paradise pageant, including Best Talent and the People’s Choice Award.

Speaking to Nesia Daily ahead of her departure to Fiji, Popena reflected on representing her people on a larger stage.

"Being able to stand there and represent my people and then actually winning… I made my people proud… and I'm so glad that I did," she said.

She now joins the other Pacific queens in Nadi, representing the Pacific’s largest nation as part of a regional gathering that organisers say is about more than competition.

Miss Bird of Paradise, Iampela Popena, from PNG won multiple awards at her country's pageant in December, including Best Talent and the People’s Choice Award. Photo/Supplied

The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant will be held on Friday and Saturday at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.

The event will be broadcast live on FBC TV and streamed on the VT Plus platform, reaching viewers in at least 16 countries.

As preparations continue, the pageant is increasingly being seen as a space where Pacific women speak to shared experiences and future priorities, offering the region not just a winner, but a collective voice.

Watch Miss Sāmoa Feagaimaali'i Soti Mapu in Fiji ahead of the opening of the weeklong Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in Nadi.