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Home > Miss Heilala contestants shine at first public appearance

Miss Heilala contestants shine at first public appearance [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 18:43.  Updated on Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 18:44.

Miss Heilala Contestants 2026. Tanoa Dateline Hotel, Nuku'alofa. 25 June 2026. Photo: Matangi Tonga.

By Katalina Siasau and Everest Hala

Fifteen contestants vying for the Miss Heilala 2026 crown, made their official public appearance this morning at Tanoa International Dateline Hotel, Nuku’alofa, 25 June.

Contestants shone in their traditional puletahas, attending the orientation program with their sponsors, families and supporters traveling from overseas.

The contestants drew their order of appearances in the pageant and their topics for the pre-pageant interview.

Contestants in order of appearance for Miss Heilala contest. Contestants number 1-8 from left: Miss Tali Ki Fisi, Mele Maafu; Miss Tikaway Creations, Meleane Brown; Miss Ministry of Infrastructure, Larila Ngalu; Miss 'Ananaa USA, Rachael Reed; Miss 'Eua Tourism, Petiola Masila; Miss S&S USA, Lavalava ‘Esau; Miss Ha'apai Tourism, Maria Kaihea; and Miss Masani Connect – Ministry of Tourism, Tekifaiva Tu'itavake. Tanoa Hotel. 25 June 2026. Photo: Matangi Tonga.

Contestants in order of appearance for Miss Heilala contest. Contestants number 9-15 from left: Miss Tonga Australia, Anitiveniana Talia’uli; Miss Appraxus NZ, Kathleen Vaeatangitau; Miss Lady Maria Australia, Silia Matelau; Miss Liku’alofa Resort, Melelupe Tongi; Miss Vava’u Tourism, Siutaisa Funaki; Miss The Kingdom of Tonga – The Friendly Islands, Cristy Masima; and Miss Tonga Tourist Association, Sepiuta Malamala. Tanoa Hotel. 25 June 2026. Photo: Matangi Tonga.

Contestants in order of appearance:

  1. Miss Tali Ki Fisi, Mele Kafoatu Vilingia Maafu (27)
  2. Miss Tikaway Creations 2026, Meleane Pulotufietau Brown (24)
  3. Miss Ministry of infrastructure, Larila Veronica Tuiniua Ngalu (20)
  4. Miss 'Ananaa USA 2026, Rachael Riann Reed (21)
  5. Miss ‘Eua Tourism, Petiola Samanta Tongisia Pola Jr Siua Masila (21)
  6. Miss S&S USA, Lavalava He Kakala Hingoa Rigel Hedar Tu’ionetoa ‘Esau (26)
  7. Miss Ha’apai Tourism, Maria Stella Konionia Kaihea (21)
  8. Miss Masani Connect - Ministry of Tourism, Tekifaiva ‘I Hakau Tu’itavake (27)
  9. Miss Tonga Australia 2026, Anitiveniana Talia’uli (26)
  10. Miss Appraxus NZ 2026, Kathleen Monica Soana Vaeatangitau (25)
  11. Miss Lady Maria Australia 2026, Silia Sitoafa Matelau (23)
  12. Miss Liku’alofa Resort, Melelupe Ongosia Piutau Tongi (22)
  13. Miss Vava’u Tourism 2026, Siutaisa Funaki (25)
  14. Miss the Kingdom of Tonga- The Friendly Islands, Cristy ‘Ofa Mei ‘Okalani Makitalena Masima (19)
  15. Miss Tonga Tourist Association, Sepiuta Malamala (26)

Pre-pageant interview topics:

  1. Mele Maafu- Sports
  2. Meleane Brown- Domestic violence
  3. Larila Ngalu- Education
  4. Rachael Reed- Technology
  5. Preservation of indigenous culture
  6. Lavalava ‘Esau- Climate change
  7. Stella Kaihea- youth unemployment
  8. Tekifaiva Tu’itavake- Drug trafficking 
  9. Anitiveniana Talia’uli- Labour shortage in Pacific countries due to the seasonal employment scheme
  10. Kathleen Vaeatangitau- Tourism
  11. Silia Matelau- Digital space and cyberbullying among youth 
  12. Melelupe Tongi- cost of living and inflation in the Pacific islands
  13. Siutaisa Funaki- Health
  14. Christi Salt- Political conflicts and their effects on fuel supply and the economy
  15. Sepiuta Malamala- Mental health

The Miss Heilala pageant officially commenced following the orientation with their first activities, a lunch at Hot Pizza in Nuku'alofa and other activites leading up to the official judging pageant categories. 

Miss Heilala contestants draw their order of appearance and the topic for their interview. Tanoa Dateline Hotel, Nuku'alofa. 25 June 2026. Photo: Matangi Tonga.
Pacific Islands [2]
Tonga [3]
Miss Heilala 2026 [4]
Miss Heilala contestants [5]
Tourism [6]

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Source URL:https://matangitonga.to/2026/06/25/miss-heilala-contestants-shine-first-public-appearance

Links
[1] https://matangitonga.to/2026/06/25/miss-heilala-contestants-shine-first-public-appearance [2] https://matangitonga.to/tag/pacific-islands?page=1 [3] https://matangitonga.to/tag/tonga?page=1 [4] https://matangitonga.to/tag/miss-heilala-2026?page=1 [5] https://matangitonga.to/tag/miss-heilala-contestants?page=1 [6] https://matangitonga.to/topic/tourism?page=1