Papua New Guinea's Abigail Havora crowned Miss Pacific Islands 2015

Posted yesterday at 4:01pm

Abigail Havora smiles upon receiving her award.

PHOTO: Papua New Guinea's Abigail Havora is crowned Miss Pacific Islands 2015. (Supplied: Facebook/Miss Pacific Islands)

MAP: Cook Islands

Papua New Guinea's Abigail Havora has been crowned Miss Pacific Islands 2015 in a ceremony held in Rarotonga.

The 24-year-old science graduate beat eight other contestants to take home the title for the first time.

The last time PNG won an international or regional crown was in 1975 when Eva Arni won the Miss Asia title, according to local news website PNG Loop.

Ms Havora also picked up the Best Sarong and Best Talent Performance titles.

She is from Gabagaba village in PNG's Central Province and many Papua New Guineans took to Facebook to congratulate her.

"Abigail Havora we are dying here with so much pride!! You've done us your family proud as well as your country! Can't wait to welcome you home!" Christabella Kolu Amona wrote.

Ms Havora works for PNG's largest oil and gas company Oil Search and devotes her spare time to volunteering for a number of causes.

"My intent is to bring a message that strengthens the bridge between culture and changing times so young people, especially women, are more aware of what they are contributing to and the type of influence they are exerting," she said on the Miss Pacific Islands Facebook page when she was first introduced as a contestant.

Miss Samoa, Ariana Taufao, was the first runner-up while Miss Tonga, Brittne Fuimaono, was the second runner-up.

Tonga's Ms Fuimaono was voted most popular on social media after a poll held on the Miss Pacific Islands Facebook page. Her profile garnered over 14,000 likes.