Alan Raga

Above Sarah Munn wearing Shika Braddock Couture, photographed by Alan Raga with make-up by Kareen Donaldson and Earth 174.

Miss New Zealand Sarah Munn, currently competing for the title of World Miss University 2012 in Seoul, Korea, is leading the public vote in the first hour after her video was uploaded to the pageant’s YouTube channel.
   The public vote is decided on YouTube views, and New Zealand has traditionally suffered because of its small population. This year, however, it is hoped that some viral promotion using social networks can get the country maintaining an early strong start.
   A Kiwi win is not unprecedented: New Zealand has won the World Miss University title once, in 2005, with Jade Hart (née Collins).
   Miss Munn holds a BA in International Relations and Political Science and has also studied Law at Victoria University.
   The pageant final is to be held on December 11 at the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill in Seoul.
   Miss Munn, who was born in Wellington and grew up in Tauranga, has a strong record of academic achievement, balanced with an active university life. She has gained the Vic Plus Award at Victoria University this year, been class representative nine times, and has actively organized events and extracurricular activities. She also works at the Crown Law Office in Wellington and with Air New Zealand.
   Her YouTube video may be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1Qb2XbFSUA or below.—Jack Yan, Publisher