by Kiwiana Ngabung – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Last Friday was the final night for the 2016 Miss Pacific Islands contestants to take the stage in Apia, Samoa. With 8 beautiful women representing their countries, the crown went to Miss Fiji 2016, Anne Christine Dunn.
Dressed in stunning Fijian attire, the law graduate proudly and gracefully took her first walk after being announced as the winner. She takes over from Papua New Guinea’s Ms Abigail Havora, as the 2015 crowned queen.
“I do realise though that winning Miss Pacific Islands Pageant or being crowned comes with a lot of responsibility so that’s also something that I have to look forward to.
“2016 was an amazing year for me having graduated from USP and having gone through the different pageants as the end of the year rolled in. So I thank everyone who made this possible,” Dunn said.
She finished ahead of Miss American Samoa (1st runner up), Miss Solomon Islands (2nd runner up) and Miss Samoa (3rd runner up).
“This pageant provides a platform for beautiful and amazing young women coming together to uphold such values of the entire Pacific Region.
“I hope that I will do you all proud, and I look forward to all the challenges that will come along the way,” Dunn announced.
The Fijian lass gladly thanked God, her family, friends, supporters, and sponsors.
“I congratulate every secretariat and every government initiative who had taken this platform and taken it seriously, giving an opportunity to us as young women, especially as young Pacific Island women to be able to articulate; to be able to express ourselves and; to be able to state that we are not only beautiful but we have intelligent minds and; we have strength that comes from our roots, and courage that comes from our parents.”
On the night, Dunn also won Best Traditional Wear as well as Best Interview, and is now the third Miss Fiji to win the pageant.
Other awards went to Samoa for Miss Personality, Nauru for Miss Internet (voted for by the public), Tonga for Miss Photogenic, Solomon Islands for Best Talent, and American Samoa for Best Sarong and National Tourism Award.
The next Miss Pacific Islands Pageant will be held in Fiji in 2017.
