A 22-year-old Samoan with roots in Siumu, Matautu Lefaga, Sa'anapu, Saleaaumua, Sale'apaga and Vaovai Falealili, is the new Miss Samoa New Zealand.

Shilohm Filipi was crowned during the Miss Samoa New Zealand pageant, when the Samoan community gathered in Mangere, Auckland for an evening of culture and beauty.

The pageant also marked the anticipated return of the Miss Samoa NZ pageant which had been postponed for two years since the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Running alongside five other contestants, Ms Filipi's fluent Samoan was part of her show of grace and elegance, as expected in the Ms Samoa pageantry participants. 

" When I was young, I used to watch the Ms Samoa on TV, in Australia, New Zealand and Samoa. I used to think that one day, I want to be on that platform and now I have taken that risk," she said. 

Ms Filipi in her interviews with the NZ media had said that she aspired to be a mover of youth. 

" I want to help the youth, trying to push them. Especially the New Zealand born youths, because even though we are not living on our lands in Samoa, we are still Samoan," she said. 

The young lady acknowledged the help and support of her families and church when Samoa Observer contacted her.

" First and foremost, all praise and glory be to God. Thank you to my village — my backstage team, my family, church family (E.F.K.S. Magele i Sasa’e & E.F.K.S. Papa o le Olataga) and all who have supported and prayed for me since the start of this amazing journey. Fa’afetai, fa’afetai, fa’afetai tele lava," she said. 

Asked what her take away was for the pageant, she told Samoa Observer that the role holds a special responsibility for her.

"Being crowned Miss Samoa NZ holds a special responsibility for me. Aotearoa is a small land mass compared to Australia and the US but our hearts are big. It is my honor and privilege to be able to serve and represent all of our Samoan people who live in Aotearoa NZ, and especially our young people who were born here, have grown up away from our homeland and yearn for the opportunity to connect to that part of our culture and their identity," she said.

Shilohm told Samoa Observer that her name sounds like Shalom but spelt as Shilohm. She also said that it means peace in Hebrew.

She also gave hope to the young people of New Zealand, especially the Pacific islanders and Samoans.

"  To our young people, you are in my heart and I will represent you as well as Samoa and Aotearoa with love and pride," she said.

Director of Miss Samoa NZ, Ulalemamae Te’eva Matafai, acknowledged the outgoing Miss Samoa NZ, Fonofoifafo Nancy Mcfarland-Seumanu, who was also crowned Miss Samoa and Miss Pacific Islands for her grace, service and patience, holding the position over the past three years.  

“You put your life on pause for three years for three crowns… you have definitely left your mark in the pageant world as the longest standing beauty Queen of the Pacific, fa’afetai tele lava Fonoifafo for your service to our communities.”

The pageant was live streamed with thousands beaming in to watch from across the Pacific. 

Shilohm is studying towards a degree in communications. She is currently in administration support for Taeaofou i Puaseisei Preschool.    

 When asked by former Ms Samoa and radio personality for Radio Samoa, Janine Tuivaiti what her advise would be for the youth, Ms Filipi responded that she wanted the youth to not be afraid of taking the first step into their goals. 

" It is always the first step that is hardest. Once there, enjoy the journey. Take every opportunity that comes to you. Know that on your platform, you are the only one who is like you. You are uniquely you," she said.