First-year Bachelor of Communication student Catherine Irving is off to the Philippines next month to represent New Zealand in the Miss Earth World beauty pageant.

Miss Irving, 19, from Waverley, won the Miss Earth New Zealand title in Auckland this month after being named Miss Earth Wanganui in February.

When Catherine Irving takes to the stage at the Miss Earth beauty pageant in November she will be the fifth Manawatu resident to do so in six years.

Catherine Irving won the title of Miss Earth New Zealand 2009 at the finals held today 05 Sept 2009. The First Runner-up is Amelia Jenkinson - Palmerston North and the Second Runner-up is Julia Buhs-Catterall.

Catherine will join more than 90 other delegates from various countries and territories to compete in the The Miss Earth 2009 finals which will be held on 22 November 2009 at the Boracay Convention Center in the Philippines.

Local beauty queen Catherine Irving has been crowned Miss Earth New Zealand, and will jet to the Philippines to challenge 90 of the world’s most beautiful women for the Miss Earth 2009 title.

The Waverley 19-year-old won the evening gown section, and went on to win the national crown, which will see her compete in Manila on November 22.