Tajiya Sahay, Miss Cook Islands and Miss World Oceania 2019, has shared exciting details about the long-awaited return of Miss Cook Islands, back for the first time in six years.

The journey begins on October 11, when this year’s finalists will be revealed during a cocktail event. Around seven or more young women are expected to be selected. From there, the finalists will embark on a retreat, where they will have the chance to support each other, meet sponsors, engage with the community, share content on social media, and take part in challenges that will prepare them for the main competition.

The program includes a Tropicana Runway Show and a Project Runway-style event, followed by the all-important one-on-one interviews with the judges. The final stage will unfold over two nights at the end of October, with the coronation set for October 31, when a new Miss Cook Islands will be crowned and get ready to represent her country at the 73rd edition of Miss World.

Reflecting on her own journey, Tajiya Sahay explained that being crowned Miss Cook Islands not only opened many doors and opportunities for her, but also gave her the chance to showcase the beauty and culture of her island to the world, while serving her community through the Beauty With a Purpose mission.

The Cook Islands made their Miss World debut in 1987 with Michelle Leone Oberg. Despite being a small nation of fewer than 15,000 inhabitants, the country achieved remarkable success between 2016 and 2019, with three of its four representatives advancing to the Miss World semifinals. Tajiya herself went even further, reaching the Top 12 and winning the Miss World Oceania title, a first for the Cook Islands.

After the pandemic forced the competition to pause, Miss Cook Islands now returns with renewed strength, passion, and purpose, ready to write a new chapter in its inspiring story.