From Timaru to Turkey: South Island girl wins Little Miss Universe competition

A Tongan girl from Timaru has been crowned Little Miss Universe at a prestigious international pageant in Antalya, Turkey.

Ten-year-old Tapaita Fonokalafi was overwhelmed with emotion, wiping away tears as she accepted the top placing at the Little Miss and Mister Universe competition held earlier this week.

Speaking from a cafe at 9pm local time in Turkey, Tapaita adorns her new tiara and sash recalling how she felt in her crowning moment.

“I felt very emotional, excited and happy.”

She was sitting with Kogi So, National Director and founder of Little Miss Aotearoa - the inaugural pageant Tapaita won last month to get to the global competition.

So, who won the Best National Director awards, is gleaming with pride saying the international recognition is a massive honour.

“It’s absolutely huge. Everyone just loved her. I was so proud of her on the gala night. She just really brought out her spirit and inspired people.

“She just touched my heart and I had goosebumps. My tears, I [couldn’t] control my tears.”

Māmā, Kasanita Fonongaloa, who embraced her tearful daughter right after the crowning, says she's so happy and thankful Tapaita has had this opportunity.

For Tapaita, joining Little Miss Aotearoa was about confidence building and trying something new. Advice she gives other young girls who might be thinking about entering pageantry.

“It feel exciting, nervous. But also making lasting memories and especially meeting new friends.”

The Makikihi School student also took home the competition’s Best Talent Award, performing Pepeha by Six60 in sign language - a song she’d learned from kura.

Tapaita Fonokalafi was crowned Little Miss Aotearoa at the inaugural event held in Christchurch in April. Photo/Supplied

Pacific pageants are always calendar highlights with growing international recognition such as Samoa’s Haylani Kuruppu’s historic crowning as Vice Miss Global 2023 - the highest placing for any Pacific nation at a world event.

So the question was put to Tapaita if she has sights set on Miss Heilala, or even Miss Universe?

“I’m not sure,” she laughs.

“But I think maybe, I’ll do more pageants to build up my confidence, make new friends and memories. And to show everyone the things that make me happy.”

There are two main messages Tapaita wanted to share, this journey has helped her create forever friendships. And she is grateful to her Nana for the unconditional love and support.

“I would like to give out a shoutout to my Nana. Thank you Nana for all the help and support.”

Forming the dream team

Kogi So won Miss Rotorua in 2021, then went on to be crowned Mrs Universe New Zealand 2022. Following that, she competed at the Mrs Universe competition in Bulgaria, where she was named Mrs Generosity.

After her own pageant journey and with two young daughters by her side every step of the way, So was inspired to establish Little Miss Aotearoa this year.

Although she’s new to pageant directing, she feels the positive transformation she’s seen among the girls is a big accomplishment. An impact that’s so good, her young New Zealand team of contestants were all highly recognised at the event.

“All the girls have done really amazing, I’m so proud of them all,” So says.

The New Zealand team at the crowning ceremony of Little Miss and Mister Universe 2024. (From left to right) YoonHee Seo, Harley Caballes, Tapaita Fonokalafi, Kogi So, YoonJi Seo, and Flounna Mosa. Photo/Supplied

While it was a competition, So says the innocence and playful team spirit is what set them apart from their international competitors.

“Usually in other countries they [the contestants] are well trained in performing and modelling and on stage they really talk like adults.

“All our kids were just being kids.

“This trip has been amazing and all the girls have become really great friends. I think the pageant is really about friendship, it’s not about the competition.”

Fourteen-year-old Flounna Mosa was crowned the Miss Teen Universe Grand Prix winner, and won the best model award.

Ten-year-old YoonJi Seo was also crowned Miss Universe 2024 Grand Prix winner and Brand Ambassador of the Maya Tavadze Fashion House, her younger sister YoonHee Seo was named Todd Miss Universe Grand Prix. Junior Miss Universe Grand Prix winner was Harley Caballes and her dad, Hardy, was even named Father of The Year.

The team and their parents landed back in Aotearoa this afternoon with So expressing her biggest thanks to the parents and helpers for making their dream work.