13 things about Miss Universe New Zealand 2026 Georgia Waddington

Georgia Waddington represented New Zealand in the 61st edition of Miss International, the second edition of Miss Charm and the 75th edition of Miss Universe. She won the 63rd edition of Miss New Zealand and the 60th edition of Miss Universe New Zealand.

BIOGRAPHY

Waddington is a Kiwi entrepreneur, model and beauty queen from Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand. Born in 2002, she is Rob Waddington and Mariessa Waddington’s daughter and Blake Waddington’s older sister.

Before entering Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Georgia was home-schooled. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. In 2010, she became acutely unwell with glandular fever so she had to be home-schooled.
2. From 2015 to 2019, she attended Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.
3. From 2019 to 2020, she was a part-time brand ambassador at The Generalist PR on South Island and a part-time waitress at Chiwahwah Mexican Cantina Bar in Christchurch.
4. In 2020, she studied tourism and travel services management at The International Travel College of New Zealand where she graduated with distinction.
5. From 2020 to 2022, she was a customer experience, contracts and office manager at Williams Corporation in Christchurch.
6. In 2023, she visited Japan.
7. She won Miss New Zealand 2023.
8. She is Miss International Japan 2023 and was a Miss International 2023 candidate.
9. In 2024, she visited Vietnam and launched Social Strategy, a boutique social media and marketing agency specializing in content creation, digital strategy, and brand storytelling for purpose-led businesses and personal brands.
10. She is Miss Charm Vietnam 2024 and was a Miss Charm 2024 semifinalist.
11. In 2026, she will visit Puerto Rico, United States.
12. She won Miss Universe New Zealand 2026.
13. She is a Miss Universe 2026 candidate.

TIMELINE

Georgia is the second youngest of five children. She won Miss New Zealand 2023 while she was based in Waikato, North Island, New Zealand with her partner Jackson Ogle, then 25.

2010s

• In February 2015, she entered Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.
• In January 2019, she joined The Generalist PR.
• In October 2019, she joined Chiwahwah Mexican Cantina Bar.
• In December 2019, she graduated from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.

2020s

• From February 2020 to December 2020, she attended The International Travel College of New Zealand.
• In November 2020, she left The Generalist and Chiwahwah Mexican Cantina Bar.
• In December 2020, she joined Williams Corporation.
• In November 2022, she left Williams Corporation.
• On June 18, 2023, she and 16 other Miss New Zealand 2023 candidates competed for four titles at the Bruce Mason Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. She ranked first and was crowned Miss International New Zealand 2023.
• On October 26, 2023, she represented New Zealand at Miss International 2023 and competed against 69 other candidates at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. She was unplaced but she won the Miss Photogenic award.
• In December 2024, she started Social Strategy.
• On December 21, 2024, she represented New Zealand at Miss Charm 2024 and competed against 35 other candidates at the Nguyen Du Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She finished in the Top 20 and won the Best Face award.
• On July 28, 2026, she competed against 14 other Miss Universe New Zealand 2026 candidates at the SkyCity Theatre in Auckland and won the title.
• On November 24, 2026, she will represent New Zealand at Miss Universe 2026 and compete against 130 other candidates at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States.