A Northland teen of Maori and Croation heritage will represent New Zealand at the Miss World beauty pageant in November.
Cody Yerkovich, 18, of Kaitaia, beat 15 other finalists to claim the Miss New Zealand title at Auckland's Sky City Convention Centre.
"I'm really happy...I feel quite privileged to be able to represent Northland and put it on the map," she told the Northern Advocate.
Ms Yerkovich left Kaitaia College last year and is planning to study for a business management degree.
Before the Miss World pageant at a yet to be named venue, Ms Yerkovich will be a guest at the Miss Argentina contest next month, do charity work in the Solomon Islands, and take part in the Model of the World competition in China.
