Miss New Zealand takes on the world

TODD FLYGENRING/New Regent Studios Ltd

READY TO ROLL: Miss World NZ Magdalena Schoeman at Christchurch Airport.

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The most beautiful woman in the country left today to face off against the most beautiful of them all at the Miss World pageant in South Africa.

Miss World New Zealand, Christchurch beauty therapist Magdalena Schoeman, 19, left today for London, Abu Dhabi and Zimbali before the final stage in Johannesburg where the new Miss World will be crowned.

Of South African descent, she will compete with 120 other women before the decision will be made on December 12 in a show televised to over two billion people around the world.

According to her profile, Ms Schoeman, who won the Miss World New Zealand crown in April this year, is a qualified jazz dance and ballet teacher and also enjoys Latin American dancing.

She beat 15 others to claim the New Zealand title.

She lists her other interests as fashion and modelling, meeting people, travelling, learning languages and food. 

She said she planned to use her win "to create awareness about racial unity as well as help abandoned children find a good home and family".