Miss South Pacific

Joyana Meyer

My name is Joyana  Meyer.  My friends call me 'Jo' and I am 'twenty something'.  I call myself a Cook Islander because I grew up in Rarotonga and I dress like a Cook Islander - flowers always, I sing Cook Island songs, I dance the Cook Island 'ura', it is my home and it is who I am.  However to be more precise, from my Mum's side.  I am a mixture of Cook Island (Mangaian and Aitutakian), French, Scottish, English and American.  My Dad likes to keep things simple Samoan and German.
I have just completed my fourth and final year at the University of Auckland studying for a Bachelor's Degree with Honours in Mechatronic Engineering.
I'm very excited about this venture and can't wait to put what I have learnt to good use, so working world here I come! At the time of writing this I have just completed my first week at an engineering company in Auckland. Yes I am excited.  My first pay packet!
I will be the first Pacific woman to accomplish a degree in this field. I am so proud to be a woman from the Pacific.  There is just a strength that we have, a resolve to achieve, from the Mama's selling at the markets to the professionals making their mark in commerce, medicine, law, education, engineering, the list continues to grow.I absolutely believe that the Miss South Pacific Pageant provides an excellent opportunity to young women all over the Pacific for self-development.  Most of all never feel that you have been disadvantaged in anyway coming from a Pacific Island.  I left home for the first time after 7th Form to go to 'uni' and found that my island upbringing set a great foundation for life.  Our Christian beliefs and trust in God have been a total strength for me, and I have been saved by prayer many times!

We shouldn't be afraid of acknowledging God ever no matter what people say.
I've been taught that one of the most powerful ways to influence others is by sharing your own testimony and leading by example! The joy of the Lord is my strength!

Being a Pacific islander is truly a blessing.  Great Islands! Great music!
Great food! Great dancing! Great food, needs to be said twice.  But most of all, we are always good for a laugh! One of the best things about our people is we can make fun of ourselves.  We can and we do often.

God Bless
Joyana

Joyana Meyer Miss South Pacific