Filipina-Kiwi beauty queen Victoria Velasquez Vincent was named Miss Universe New Zealand 2024, earning the opportunity to represent the country at the 73rd Miss Universe competition. Vincent triumphed over 15 other contenders for the title. Gazelle Garcia and Inge Carolus finished as first and second runners-up, respectively.
Vincent first stepped into the Miss Universe stage in 2021, winning the Miss Universe Philippines Charity title. Although she was offered to represent New Zealand that same year, she declined, believing it was not the right time. She returned to the Miss Universe Philippines pageant in 2024, where she placed in the top 10.
Vincent is set to compete in Mexico on November 16, 2024, where she will face fellow contestants, including Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo and Miss Universe Great Britain Christina Chalk. Originally, Franki Russell was to represent New Zealand but withdrew following a change in the franchise holder.
