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MISS EARTH NEW ZEALAND
CAITLYN DULCIE
DESCRIBE YOUR CHILDHOOD/GROWING YEARS
I am half Tongan and half Maori-Moriori Kiwi-European. I grew up navigating between two cultures and learning how to accommodate both families. I had a very culturally rich childhood. I lived at a predominantly boys’ boarding school that was situated on farmlands. I had 300 different brothers and babysitters every year. I was always surrounded by people from many ethnicities, singing, music, dance, humour and art. I was deeply intrigued with drawing, storytelling and cinema as well as ballet, netball and skateboarding.
WHAT IS YOUR MEMORABLE MOMENT?
My most memorable moments are of Their late Majesties King Taufa’aho Tupou IV and Queen Mata’aho of the Kingdom of Tonga. My father shared a strong friendship with the Tongan royal family. Members of the royal family would visit us during my childhood. When I was born, her late Majesty visited me bearing gifts. The Queen was truly gracious. I was privileged to visit her late Majesty regularly throughout my childhood and even as a teenager. I was very honoured to have listened to her telling stories of the culture and people of Tonga.
ANY SPECIAL STORIES OR FACTS ABOUT YOUR FAMILY?
My father is a descendant of the Māori tribe Ngāti Kahungunu and a rare indigenous race, the Moriori. The Moriori were close to extinction from a high of 2000 down to only 101 in 1842 and 12 by 1900. My mother is Tongan and is part of all the island nations of Te Moana Nui Kiwa - The Pacific Ocean, with Aotearoa, New Zealand included. My maternal nana is of Tongan noble blood through her great great grandfather from the island of Niua, the Fusitu’a bloodline. I also have an older brother and a little sister.
WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?
The most unusual thing I have ever done is to take part in a pageant. Miss Earth New Zealand is my first pageant. I was earlier invited by two other organisations to participate in their pageants but I declined. I later discovered that the Miss Earth Pageant is not solely based on beauty and glamour. I was drawn to the humanitarian aspect of this pageant entering it with an open mind to the possibilities it may bring. Miss Earth has a fundamental message to heal and preserve our earth through service, education and action. I never envisioned I would stand on a stage that promoted beauty alongside an advocacy for the environment with people at the heart.
WHAT TIPS CAN YOU SHARE TO PROMOTE ECOTOURISM & CLIMATE CHANGE?
Educating people and sharing knowledge on the specific issues facing our ecology and climate worldwide is the key. Sharing the indigenous beliefs about how people belong to the land and that we should take care of our natural resources with shared understanding and respect as we treat each other.
Work with local communities, initiatives and schools to share practical strategies to promote a greener and sustainable world. Vote for change; stretching the importance of having local board and government leader representatives that develop better infrastructure and future planning as highlighted in my environment advocacy video.
Work with local communities, initiatives and schools to share practical strategies to promote a greener and sustainable world. Vote for change; stretching the importance of having local board and government leader representatives that develop better infrastructure and future planning as highlighted in my environment advocacy video.
WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD OF YOUR COUNTRY?
New Zealand is small and intimate; green and geographically isolated from the mass of global human activity. We have much natural bush, native birds, rainfall and forests, unique fauna and flora and can boast of mountain ranges. We are leading the way in sustainable energy production and conservation initiatives from government to voluntary organisations.
We have many diverse natural wonders, including caves of glow worms, mud pools and geysers. Other places include Fiordland with its ice glaciers and extensive lakes and snow capped mountains with long tracks by backpack or horseback. Visits to coastal penguin and shag sanctuaries are available. We look after all of our natural wonders through conservation, as they are our treasures. Our farmers produce our own food. We are a peaceful and multicultural people who embrace diversity. We are ranked first as the most beautiful country to visit by the international organisation ‘Rough Guides’ in July 2023. My country is a democracy with freedom of speech. New Zealand also has free education, healthcare and dental care for children under the age of 18. New Zealand was also the first country in the world to win the right for women to vote.
We have many diverse natural wonders, including caves of glow worms, mud pools and geysers. Other places include Fiordland with its ice glaciers and extensive lakes and snow capped mountains with long tracks by backpack or horseback. Visits to coastal penguin and shag sanctuaries are available. We look after all of our natural wonders through conservation, as they are our treasures. Our farmers produce our own food. We are a peaceful and multicultural people who embrace diversity. We are ranked first as the most beautiful country to visit by the international organisation ‘Rough Guides’ in July 2023. My country is a democracy with freedom of speech. New Zealand also has free education, healthcare and dental care for children under the age of 18. New Zealand was also the first country in the world to win the right for women to vote.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVOCACY?
Urbanisation, Deforestation, Sustainable Farming.
There is a local movement I have empathy for. It is for the farmers who are opposing urbanisation in Pukekohe. I grew up as a rural girl living next to hard working farmers who maintained their fields catered to cows specifically. This place is now known as Paerata Rise. Pukekohe has some of the most fertile land composed of volcanic soil in New Zealand. Lack of farmland means less supplied goods and overpriced products, therefore affects cost of living. Now the area is getting subsumed by high density developments with unsustainable construction materials. Urban sprawl is now becoming an urgent matter to address with the current flooding and cyclone issues. I want to promote better infrastructure planning to be mindful of water flow, drainage and safer home placements.
There is a local movement I have empathy for. It is for the farmers who are opposing urbanisation in Pukekohe. I grew up as a rural girl living next to hard working farmers who maintained their fields catered to cows specifically. This place is now known as Paerata Rise. Pukekohe has some of the most fertile land composed of volcanic soil in New Zealand. Lack of farmland means less supplied goods and overpriced products, therefore affects cost of living. Now the area is getting subsumed by high density developments with unsustainable construction materials. Urban sprawl is now becoming an urgent matter to address with the current flooding and cyclone issues. I want to promote better infrastructure planning to be mindful of water flow, drainage and safer home placements.