Miss World NZ proud of haka (+video)

A Dunedin beauty queen is proud of her haka at the Miss World competition in China despite the performance receiving mixed reviews.

Miss World New Zealand Deborah Lambie (24) said she was ‘‘really happy'' to have come 15th from 117 contestants.

Miss Lambie graduated from the University of Otago as a doctor before leaving for the competition. It had been held on Hainan Island and finished on Saturday.

She performed a haka in the talent category. A video of it on Miss Lambie's Facebook page received a mixed response, a comment saying the haka was ‘‘disgraceful and offensive'' and a performance involving a waiata and poi would have been more suitable.

Others applauded her haka.

Miss Lambie said the Chinese response was fantastic.

‘‘People love New Zealand and love this special part of our culture.''

She learnt the haka from Kereama Te Ua, a lecturer in Maori Performing Arts at Whitireia Performance Centre in Wellington.

Miss Lambie said she was happy she learnt to perform the haka properly.

‘‘We have been working on the authentic performance together for months and I feel privileged to have learnt this piece from an expert and was proud to perform this to the best of my ability.''

Miss Lambie would start her journey home today to celebrate Christmas with her family in Dunedin.

University of Otago student Latafale Auva'a, of Auckland, represented Samoa at the competition.

She did not win an overall placing but came fifth in the talent section by singing Disney's Frozen theme song in 25 languages.

Miss Spain, Mireia Lalaguna Royo, was crowned Miss World 2015. Sofia Nikitchuk, of Russia, was the runner-up and Indonesia's Maria Harfanti third.