Miss Tonga Rachael Guttenbeil says she would not accept the title if current investigations by Solomon Islands authorities were to uncover evidence of vote rigging.

Rachel, who was runner-up in the 2025 Miss Pacific pageant, has congratulated Miss Samoa Litara Ieremia-Allan on winning the title.

The controversy that followed the Miss Pacific Islands pageant last week overshadowed the hard work put in by the contestants and the true meaning of the pageant.

Tongan judge Maata Moungaloa-Tupou has been alleged to have been leading the conspiracies about fraud and rigging of the regional pageant. 

The allegations of vote rigging, resulted in Solomon Islands authorities issuing a stop order against the judges, which prevented the head judge Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt from leaving the country. The order has since been lifted but investigations continue.

Moungaloa-Tupou was a pageant winner in 1995 but that lasted momentarily as the title was stripped because of her relationship with a married member of the Tongan royal family.

Rachel believes that Litara won the pageant on skills and talent.

"My sister Miss Samoa did so well...as well as my other Pacific sisters," she told ABC Pacific.

"On the last day, the girls, we were sharing our thoughts...no matter what happens around us, we stand united, our bond is beautiful and should not be tarnished."

"I would not accept it (the title)," said Rachel.

"If she's announced the winner, let her take the crown."