THE BIG TIME: It was Samoa’s turn last year through former Miss Samoa, Latafale Auva’a.

This year, Miss Cook Islands Natalia Short (left) is promoting the Pacific Islands as a finalist at the Miss World 2016 Pageant.

The proud Cook Islander also has roots in Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

A source told the Samoa Observer her connection to Samoa is through the Mata’afa family.

Her father is apparently a cousin of Mata’afa Keenan, a former Manu Samoa lock. She is proud to tell everyone she is part Samoan.

Natalia has made the top 20 in the Miss World and like Latafale Auva’a, she won the overall Sports Challenge. Her quest continues. Go Natalia Short!

Photo: Miss Cook Islands Facebook.