It's been a busy few weeks on the island. As tours draw to a close, we're all looking forward to our annual trip to Alaska. While the Alaska trip is an annual tradition for our team, this year it also offers us a chance to find new inspiration and return refreshed as we prepare for the upcoming Miss Universe NZ competition. The familiar sights, sounds, and friendly faces will be a welcome break, but our attention is squarely set on bringing our best to Miss Universe NZ in the weeks ahead.

For now, these plans are set aside as we concentrate on preparing our pieces for the Miss Universe NZ competition, held here in Aotearoa. This year, each Miss Universe NZ contestant will be wearing a custom-designed pendant featuring our signature Arapawa Blue Pearls as the centrepiece, set in locally sourced gold or silver. These exclusive Miss Universe NZ pieces are designed and made right here in New Zealand, ensuring each creation stands out as a distinctive, truly 'Kiwi-made' work of art for all contestants vying for the Miss Universe NZ spot in the worldwide competition!

We were contacted quite unexpectedly a few months ago by the Miss Universe NZ organisers. Although our initial reaction was one of surprise and careful consideration, we quickly recognised the genuine nature of the inquiry and the exciting opportunity it presented. We were both thrilled and honoured to be approached, and felt confident placing our trust in the professionalism of the Miss Universe team. This was not only a chance to present our jewellery on the Miss Universe NZ stage, but also an opportunity to offer something truly 'Kiwi-made' alongside all the talented contestants. We promptly confirmed our interest, eager to begin working together, and started planning right away, knowing that jewellery-making would require time and care.

The first step was selecting the right pearls for the Miss Universe NZ pendants. The producers were drawn to our 'bluest' examples — though no Arapawa Blue Pearl is ever purely one colour. Blue is the most dominant hue, but each pearl carries its own subtle mix of tones, which is part of what makes them so special. Fortunately, we had a strong inventory to draw from. We laid them all out and took a careful, critical look at each one, gradually narrowing down dozens of candidates through a process of elimination until we had the finest dozen or so to present to the Miss Universe NZ team.

But better than having to show the Miss Universe NZ producers what we have through photos and videos, we invited them to come out here and see the place for themselves, getting a proper understanding of everything involved in growing the pearls. We've always found that telling the story of how they come about has a greater impact in person than over the phone. So, they travelled down from Auckland specifically to meet us, be greeted by Jacob in Picton, and have some of their questions answered early on along the ride out. Their visit inspired new ideas for future collaborations, and we hope this marks just the beginning of an ongoing relationship with the Miss Universe NZ family.

The day itself couldn't have been more fitting — calm, cloudy, and still, with that particular softness the Sounds does so well. As they rounded the last corner of the channel, the sun broke through in full warmth and splendour, revealing our home nestled at the entrance of the Sounds for the first time. We greeted the Miss Universe NZ team as we do all our guests: with tea, coffee, and home-baked treats on the table. But these visitors had a sharp eye for jewellery, and it didn't take long before the conversation turned to the pearls. They were genuinely surprised by the scale and pace of what we do out here — the harvesting, the sorting, the care that goes into every single piece — and found the whole rhythm of life in the Sounds both fascinating and unlike anything they'd expected.

A few spontaneous hours unfolded before them, a delightful gift that they simply could not let go to waste. Nestled in the cosy beach house, they surrendered themselves to the enchanting rhythm of the island. With each breath, the salt-tinged air filled their lungs, invigorating their spirits, while the gentle ebb and flow of the surf painted a soothing backdrop to their gathering. It was a kind of tranquillity rare in today's fast-paced world — one that wrapped around them like a warm embrace.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting golden rays across the water, they shared stories and laughter in that blissful sanctuary, making memories that would linger in their hearts long after they had departed. By the time the next tour group appeared on the horizon, a bittersweet tug pulled at them, a reluctance to leave behind the magic they had woven together.

Yet, as they bid farewell, their faces lit up with warm smiles, each one exchanging heartfelt promises — the kind that whispered "I'll see you soon" rather than goodbye. Invitations to visit Auckland flowed freely, as did hopes to create new adventures, making every goodbye feel more like an "until next time." In that moment, they understood that this was not merely a visit; it was the beginning of a cherished connection — one that promised to flourish over time, just like the Miss Universe NZ journey they were now part of together.

It's always challenging to say farewell to such wonderful individuals, but they still had a schedule to follow, which included a visit to Cory Broughton. Nevertheless, the Miss Universe NZ collaboration was firmly established by the time they departed, with everyone enthusiastic about what lies ahead. Together, they aim to create the exceptional jewellery that has become synonymous with our brand and to impress audiences when Miss Universe NZ kicks off in July.

Things will move along quickly from here, with Antonia hard at work refining the designs that best suit the chosen pearls, and Cory pulling long days to bring each piece to life. It's not work done by the dozens or hundreds — only by a handful of keen-eyed artisans who know better than anyone how to honour the beautiful colours of the pāua. We plan to have all the Miss Universe NZ pendants and earrings ready for contestants to preview by late June, just a few weeks before the Miss Universe NZ competition in July. We will be in touch to organise times for everyone to see and, where possible, try on their jewellery ahead of the big event. We hope this gives every Miss Universe NZ contestant a chance to connect with their unique piece and feel that excitement building before they take to the national stage. And while this may be the first time Arapawa Blue Pearls has graced the Miss Universe NZ stage, it will not be the last.