Twelve contestants aged between 18 and 26 years are vying for the Miss Heilala Crown this year. Registrations closed last week and the official photos of the contestants were released, ahead of their first public appearance on 26 June at the Heilala Village in Nuku’alofa.

The contestants from abroad and locally will take part in an orientation program on 26 June before the judging events start on July 1 and end with the crowning on 6 July.

The reigning Miss Heilala is  Sitita Hamilton Va’enuku.

The contestants will join a Heilala Festival Parade in Nuku'alofa on Saturday 29 June, starting from St Andrew's field  to the central business district.

Heilala program:

The first judging event will be a pre-pageant interview, at 10:00am Monday 1 July, at Fa’onelua Convention Center.

The second judging event: Sarong Wear, 6:00pm on 2 July at Heilala Village.

The third judging event Teunga Tau'olunga and fourth; Tau'olunga dancing, on 3 July will also be at the Heilala Village.

The fifth judging event will be the Talent competition, 6:00pm on Wednesday 4 July, at Heilala Village.

The final judging event will be an interview before the Heilala Grand Ball and Crowning, at 6:00pm Thursday 5 July, at Heilala Village.

The organisers said there would not be a "Kiekie Creation Competition" in this year's judging events.

Contestants

1. Miss AGT and Maa’imoa Catering, Racheal Guttenbeil (26)
2. Miss Apraxus Tonga, ‘Akosita Guttenbeil (21)
3. Miss Apraxus New Zealand, Mele Finau (25)
4. Miss Kalapu Kolokakala, Selaafu Vakapuna (26)
5. Miss Ha’apai Masani, Fipe Latai Holeva Finau (22)
6. Miss Tourism, Talanoa Moheloto Fifita (21)
7. Miss ‘Eua Tourism, Manusiu Havea (18)
8. Miss Fia Dance Academy, Vaimoana Malupo (25)
9. Miss Tonga Hawai’i, Gracelyn Fotu’aika (22)
10. Miss Vava’u Heilala, Sophron Latu (18)
11. Miss Lady Maria Tonga Australia, Gabriella Mailangi (18)
12. Miss China-Tonga Friendship Association 2024, Susi Tonga (19)