Monique Cooley (22), of Queenstown, was placed third runner-up at the beauty pageant held in Wellington last week, and says she is a new person after the experience.
"I've definitely grown in the past week. I've grown in confidence and in the public speaking department," she said.
"I've definitely found a new level of myself, and will only grow from here."
Miss Cooley yesterday was pulled up by the media on her eligibility for the event because she has not yet applied for citizenship in the 12 years she has lived in New Zealand.
"I have never applied for it [citizenship]," she said.
"I assumed it was automatic."
Miss Cooley, who was born in Adelaide in 1990, moved to New Zealand when she was 10.
She would be applying for citizenship as soon as she could, even if it meant doing some more paperwork while she was on holiday in Hawaii with her mother, Linda Cooley.
The pair flew out from Auckland at noon yesterday.
Eventual winner Avianca Bohm had also been questioned over her eligibility, because the South African had only been in New Zealand for four years and also had not applied for citizenship.
Miss Cooley and nine other pageant hopefuls had spent the week taking in the atmosphere of the capital, which included a visit to the Beehive.
"It was a pretty good experience, as I've never been to Wellington before, and it was great going to Parliament and seeing how it all works there," Miss Cooley said.
"The highlight for me was definitely Parliament, to see it in action and how both National and the Opposition were pretty passionate. I found that highly interesting."
It was the first time Otago has entered a contestant in the pageant in 12 years.
Miss Cooley said it was "great" to represent her region and the South Island.
Although she was initially disappointed not to make the top three, Miss Cooley was pleased yesterday she had reached the top five of 10 contestants and said she might compete in the pageant again next year.
"I would definitely consider giving it another go next year.
"Next time I would have more experience, and although the excitement wouldn't be the same as my first pageant, it would be a different bunch of girls."
The beauty therapist made some strong friendships during the week and would be keeping in touch with some of the contestants, especially Miss Bohm of Auckland, with whom she shared a room all week.
"She was great. We became really good friends because we were living in each other's pockets," Miss Cooley said.
"The other girls were amazing. We're all Facebook friends ... All the girls are winners in my eyes, with how hard we worked over the week."
Additionally, there were awards for Miss Charity Queen, Miss Personality, Miss Swimwear, Miss Friendship, Miss Photogenic, the Beautiful Hair award and the Evening Gown award.
After Miss Cooley returns from holiday in Hawaii, she said she would see how the rest of the year panned out before making plans, but hoped to eventually develop a career in modelling.
"I'm really proud of myself. I achieved a lot this week," she said.
"A lot of people think beauty pageants are superficial, but they haven't been in one, and there is a lot you can learn from such an experience."
