Third-year University of Otago law and music student Latafale Auva'a (20), originally from Auckland, was crowned at an event in Samoa on Monday night.
Ms Auva'a, who was welcomed with a haka and singing by more than 20 members of Dunedin's Pacific Island community, said the reception at the airport was ''fantastic''.
Her victory came after an ''overwhelming'' two weeks travelling around Samoa as part of the pageant. The final pageant night, originally meant to be held on Saturday was delayed because of the weather.
This made for an emotional victory as her father, who is full Samoan, had to fly back to New Zealand for the final night.
''When I won, I was so emotional, because I knew my dad wasn't able to be there on the night.
''But I got a call from him, from New Zealand, and he was so ecstatic and he was crying,'' she said.
Representing her family was a big focus for her as she took on the role as Miss Samoa and she was sure her Samoan grandmother, who recently died, would be proud of her achievement.
She attributed some of her success to the fact she was an ''educated woman'' and said at the pageant, she one day wanted to be an MP.
''I said yes [I wanted to be involved in politics], because it's a chance for me to impart knowledge and to improve communities and have a voice in what happens.
''I've still got a lot more learning to do, so probably not in the near future, but who knows, maybe in 10 years' time,'' she said.
The role of Miss Samoa was a serious one and after finishing this year's exams, she would be based in Samoa for the next 12 months.
''It's quite a prominent role for Samoa. From what I gather, I am now the face of Samoa, so I will be welcoming all officials that come to Samoa ...as a representative of the community and of women.''
One of her first tasks would be to contest the Miss South Pacific crown, an event being held in Samoa later this year.
