The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Committee has increased the maximum age limit for contestants from 26 to 27 years, following a request from Tonga to accommodate its representative, Miss Rachael Guttenbeil, who is 27.
Tonga’s director to the pageant committee, Tafolosa Bloomfield, told Tonga Broadcasting that “Miss Rachael Guttenbeil is over the current age limit and Tonga approached the committee to change this policy.”
The 36th Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2025, currently underway in Honiara, Solomon Islands, features contestants from various Pacific nations. The reigning Miss Pacific Islands is Moemoana Safa’ato’a Schwenke of Samoa.
The annual pageant celebrates Pacific cultures and provides a platform for young women to showcase their heritage and talents.
Nauru showed its enthusiasm by chartering an aircraft to transport over a hundred supporters to Honiara, including cabinet ministers and business representatives.
The week’s itinerary includes meetings with government officials, tours of historical sites, interactions with local artisans, and community service engagements, reflecting the Solomon Islands’ commitment to cultural exchange and community involvement.
Tonga has previously won the title twice: in 1995 with Ma’ata Mo’ungaloa and in 2007 with Tessi Toluta’u.
Guttenbeil, a law graduate, was crowned Miss Heilala 2024 at the Heilala Village in Nuku’alofa.
The competition ends this weekend.