Miss NZ 1949 – Taranaki’s Mary Woodward

Miss New Zealand of 1949 was Mary Woodward of Taranaki. The contest was a fundraiser for a memorial to New Zealanders who served in the air force during the Second World War. Though the event differed substantially from modern beauty contests, this film contains similar elements: the drawn-out announcement of the winner, her beaming smile and barely stifled tears and the suppressed disappointment of the loser.

In the 2^nd half of the video Mary Woodward reappears on TV in 2004.

9:33                                                                                                                            10/11/25

Credit 7 Days – Reuters – Pathe – National Film Unit – National Archives – TMA