Aida Sajadi (Contestant 12)

My name is Aida Sajadi and I am very proud to be a part of Miss World New Zealand.

I grew up in Iran. The strict media censorship and programming bans meant that I had not seen nor heard of beauty pageants until one night, the pirated VHS of the 1999 Miss World made its way into our house. I watched without blinking and hung onto every detail. I never thought I would be lucky enough to compete in the pageant one day.

A year later we moved to New Zealand. I was faced with all the difficulties immigration has to offer a ten year old. Over time, with the support of my family and my mum’s unequivocal love and care, I learnt a new language and embraced a new way of life. I now call New Zealand home.

I am currently studying a bachelor of science majoring in pharmacology at the University of Auckland. My ideal career upon completing postgraduate studies would be in medical research.

My pageant platform serves a cause close to my heart. I chose this charity out of a myriad of other wonderful causes because lymphoma has affected someone very dear to me. I hope to become an ambassador for the