A Whakatāne judo athlete who represented New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games has stepped outside her comfort zone to take home the Miss Canterbury 2026 crown.

Hayley Mackey said winning the title was surreal after six months of challenging herself in a different arena to the one she was used to.

Mackey, who competed in judo at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, entered the pageant on a whim after seeing it advertised on social media.

Having spent years in a physically demanding sport often perceived as masculine, she saw Miss Canterbury as an opportunity to try something different.

“It was completely out of my comfort zone, being in front of a camera, public speaking,” she said.

“It’s something so opposite of anything I would expect myself to do or other people would expect from me.

“I was really able to find more of my feminine side and see how women coming together can just create something so beautiful and really showcase how strength and beauty can coexist together.”

The competition ran over six months, with contestants required to organise fundraising events and support the pageant’s chosen charity, Dress for Success Christchurch, which helps women achieve economic independence.

Mackey organised a beginners’ judo fundraiser for women, attracting about 30 participants and raising just over $1000.

She also ran an online campaign showcasing how women from different walks of life dressed for success, featuring people including teachers and nurses.

“Success looks different on everyone, confidence looks different on everyone, but it should be accessible for everyone,” she said.

As Miss Canterbury, Mackey plans to continue the work she has started, building on the efforts of her predecessor, Georgia Paris, while finding new opportunities to support her community.

She hopes to use the title as a platform to connect with schools, charities and organisations, and encourage other young women to pursue their ambitions.

Mackey works as a positive behavioural support planner, supporting adults with intellectual disabilities, while studying towards a master’s degree in psychology through Massey University online.

Her work involves helping staff understand how the people they support communicate their needs, and working alongside them to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.

Alongside her professional commitments, she is working towards returning to judo after twice tearing her ACL. She underwent reconstructive surgery about three months ago.

Finishing seventh at the Commonwealth Games remains one of the highlights of her sporting career.

“It was such a huge honour,” she said.

“Being a self-funded athlete, having to balance everything to build up to a pinnacle event like that was so crazy, and having the country’s support was huge.”

Whakatāne Judo Club helped her with fundraising ahead of the competition, and she returns to the club where her father is coach, whenever she can.

Mackey grew up in Whakatāne and attended Whakatāne High School, and says the Eastern Bay remains home, with her family still living in the region.

Mackey’s Miss Canterbury journey came at a difficult time for her family, with her nana, Dianne Mackey, passing away two weeks before the final.

Her nana was deeply involved in the Whakatāne community through indoor bowls, her church, Vinnies and other local groups.

Mackey said her nana would have loved the event, and she feels proud to follow in her footsteps by staying involved in her community.

Looking ahead, Mackey hopes to return to international judo competition while continuing to make the most of her pageant title.

“I really want to be able to get more involved with my community and really show girls that they can be strong, beautiful and achieve absolutely anything they put their minds to,” she said.

Her advice to young women considering entering a pageant is to give it a go.

“If it’s something that they think about or want to try, just give it a go.

“You never know what doors it could open up.”