Meet NZ's Miss Universe hopeful (+pics)

Reuters

COOL IN THE POOL: Samantha Powell poses at the Ho Chi Minh City host hotel, New World Hotel Saigon.

Reuters

GLAMOUR SHOT: Samantha Powell.

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NATIONAL COSTUME: Samantha Powell in New Zealand theme.

Reuters

LOOKING GOOD: Working the swimsuit at New World Hotel Saigon.

Reuters

KIWI GAL: Miss Universe New Zealand poses in swimwear New World Hotel Saigon ahead of the 57th annual Miss Universe pageant to be held in Vietnam's Nha Trang resort city.

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It's a long way from Paraparaumu to Saigon, but that's where Horowhenua hottie Samantha Powell is mixing it with the world's most beautiful women.

Images of Miss Powell at the New World Hotel in Saigon have been released ahead of the 57th annual Miss Universe pageant at Vietnam's Nha Trang resort city on July 14.

Miss Powell, a 20-year-old bank worker from Paraparaumu, scooped the Miss Universe New Zealand crown in April.

Challenges Miss Powell overcame to be crowned New Zealand's most beautiful woman included a round of golf, a trip to Waiheke Island and some gruelling interview questions, Miss Powell told the Dominion Post after the competition.

"They were things like: if you were to choose a country to give humanitarian aid to, which one would it be? And how would you cope if you were competing at Miss Universe?"

She told judges she would like to visit schools in Cambodia and Vietnam and try to increase awareness about the importance of education.

An extra challenge for her was her height - 1.78 metres.

"Because I was one of the tallest, I was usually first up for everything."

As for whether beauty pageants were demeaning to women, Miss Powell was clear. "Not at all.
"I feel it's great for young women.

"Beauty is on the inside and outside. It's good for your confidence."

Judge Jack Yan agreed, saying brains were becoming more of a feature in pageants and the women had to be all-rounders.

"Obviously, they're all very beautiful ... but I like to think we can spot a phoney."

Mr Yan - who described himself as the equivalent of American Idol's notorious judge Simon Cowell - was heckled after quizzing the women about globalisation and the concerns of young people.

In the end, Miss Powell had been chosen because she had "X-factor" qualities - including a "very good conscience", Mr Yan said.