Maureen Kingi (Waaka), 1942-2013.
Maureen was first crowned Miss South Seas on 22 May 1962,
then on 5th June 1962 she was crowned Miss New Zealand.
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| From : Rotorua Museum Collection, Photographer Jack Lang. |
Excerpts from the Daily Post :
‘…Student Radiographer …in a daze for some minutes after the
result was announced. Then she gulped, wiped away a tear and said “I shall
represent New Zealand proudly and to the best of my ability”. Her Father Mr Kingi of Ohinemutu was hoping
Maureen would get 3rd in the contest, because he was anxious there
should be no interruption to her radiography exams’ 5th June 1962 p.1
‘Maureen’s brief return :
for nineteen year old Maureen… the all too hurried two day visit to
Rotorua this week, during a ‘show-the-flag’ tour of New Zealand, meant a round
of congratulations, receptions and a barrage of questions’ 16th June
1962.
‘Miss New Zealand…Maureen Kingi was seen by 40 million
American viewers, when she appeared on a C.B.S.
Coast-to-coast, television network in San Francisco. Miss Kingi was in
California for the Miss International Beauty Contest’ 25th August
1962.
‘In the weeks since winning the Miss New Zealand title, she
(Maureen) can count only one quiet day. Once in America, she was so fatigued,
she slept for 17 hours on end. “It’s no joy ride. It’s thrilling yes. But the
pace is on…” 31st August 1962.
Maureen Kingi went on the compete at the Miss World contest
in London during November of 1962, unfortunately she was “eliminated in the
first round”. 9th November 1962.
‘While in London, Maureen demonstrated the triple-long poi
in an appearance at the Pigalle with
the Maori Jazz group the Hi Fives’ 22nd
Nov 1962.
In the Daily Post published on 10th December
1962, Maureen was photographed with her fiancé John Waaka at their engagement
party in Ohinemutu.
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| Rotorua Lakes Council Photograph |
Just a few of Maureen’s contributions to the Rotorua
community : Councillor, Te Arawa Standing Committee 1995-2013, Member of the
Whakarewarewa Village Charitable Trust, Board member on the Lakes District
Health Board, Miss Rotorua Beauty Pageant Co-ordinator (1993- ) and winner of Miss New Zealand in 1962. Recipient of an
MNZM award in 2001, for service to Tourism and Community. Maureen passed away while still in office as
a Councillor, on the 1st July 2013.
