Miss Asia-Pacific International
New Zealand 2024
Kia Ora everyone! I am thrilled to share with you all that I am officially vying for Miss Asia Pacific International New Zealand title! It’s an opportunity that fills me with both excitement and gratitude. I see this journey not only as a personal endeavour but also as a platform to advocate for something deeply meaningful to me ❤️
The theme of this event resonates with me: “Beauty in Diversity.” It’s a concept that celebrates the uniqueness of each individual, embracing our differences and showcasing the beauty that lies in our diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. As someone who values inclusivity and understanding, this theme aligns perfectly with my beliefs and aspirations.
I would like to use this journey, this opportunity, and platform, to empower the youth to see the beauty and strength in their uniqueness. As I believe having this positive sense of self is at the forefront of any innovation, since it allows us and our tamariki, children, to take up space, be involved, and collaborate from their diverse backgrounds. This surely creates a community of positive growth for all.
I am grateful for the support I have received so far, and I invite you all to join me on this journey ✨👑
With love and gratitude,
Katharina Weischede
Throughout my journey, I have been sharing messages of empowerment of uniqueness to those I have interacted with in my outreach & advocacies, and social media pages about the beauty & strength in diversity.
Debutante & Charity Ball
Last month, for my 18th birthday - my debut, I hosted a Debutante & Charity Ball for the benefit of the street children and orphans in the Phillipines.Instead of receiving gifts for my birthday, I asked my friends and family to purchase a “ticket,” that would go towards an advocacy you all know I am deeply passionate about.
From this fundraising, one of the four charities who will benefit is SCOT Foundation.The first time I encountered poverty, orphaned, and street children, was when I was 5 years old at one of the SCOT Foundation centres in the Philippines. My mum told me that when she was explaining to little Katharina about what orphans are, and how many of the street children lived, I couldn’t stop crying. From that first encounter, I developed a passion for helping kids, especially disadvantaged kids.
It is genuinely so rewarding that my debutante and my other charity work under @kanoraunewzealand’s Miss Asia-Pacific International New Zealand pageant, has been with SCOT Foundation.
Thank you to my amazing guests, donors, supporters, family and friends, for making this night so memorable, not just for us who celebrated, but for the positive impact we have on these kids. I hope we can continue to see the good in the little things in life we have, like the orphans and street children do with what they have.
Breakfast & Entrepreneurship Outreach & Talks
Over the last month and a half, I've recently started doing "Breakfast & Entrepreneurship" outreach events and talks to primary and intermediate aged students throughout schools in New Zealand, including Monte Cecilia Primary School, and Henderson North Primary School . In which I catered to these children's hunger for knowledge served with a nutritious breakfast. During these talks, I shared my journey as a young entrepreneur from starting my business 'Slime Princess' and as beauty queen. I wanted the kids to see that no matter where you come from, you can achieve great things with hard work and determination. I’ve faced my share of challenges, but every obstacle has shaped me into who I am today. It was important for me to show them that embracing our differences, our uniqueness - whether this be their hobbies, interests (slime or other), and cultures & ethnicities - makes us stronger.
I am so blessed to have the opportunity to contribute to the community, to inspire and empower these Kiwi kids to believe in themselves, embrace their differences, and empower them to make their mark on the world. Like I tell them, as I close my talks, to repeat after me: "I am smart. I am unique. I am capable." They are all those things.
Volunteering with kids in Aotearoa
Recently, I've been increasing the amount of volunteer work with kids in Aotearoa. In which I help them and motivate them in simple activites, and talk to them to work through challenges they may face. For example, in a cupcake making workshop I volunteered in, I explained to the kids that through their mistakes or mishaps during making their cupcakes, we'll solve it together. Just like in life, though our cupcakes don't come out or are made perfectly, or exactly the same, doesn't mean their cupcake is bad. If anything, just means it's gone through a special journey to get to their desired outcome - decorations and all.
Beauty & Beyond: A women's lifestyle event
In May, I was invited as a Keynote speaker for the "Beauty & Beyond: A women's lifestyle event" at the Ellen Melville Centre, Auckland CBD.
I spoke to an audience about breaking stereotypes as a women, and ways that women are able to involve themselves into discussion that shapes our future; ways to manage mental health in our society; and empowered them to be who they are and get involved in advocacy.
Work with Pageant Sponsors...
Caithy Organics
Aquaflask
Bella Nation
