Photography: Anand Kulkarni.
At 40, Ina Babic is the oldest contestant vying for this year’s Miss Universe New Zealand crown.
But the mother of two says she’s also the most resilient and confident she’s ever been, determined to defy stereotypes and show other women – and most importantly her children – that anything is possible.
“I feel more comfortable in my own skin than I ever did in my twenties,” shares Ina. “This isn’t about trying to be younger. It’s about embracing who I am today and encouraging other women to do the same.”
She knows her children – Luka, 11, and Sienna, seven – watch and learn from her example, and believes competing in the pageant is another way she can encourage them to go after their own goals.
“I want my children to see that growth doesn’t stop when you become a parent or after a certain age,” shares Ina.
“For my daughter, specifically, I want her to grow up believing there is no timeline on her dreams, and I want my son to understand that a woman’s age should never define her opportunities.
Re-writing the rules
Ina, who was born in Bulgaria and moved here at 15, is no stranger to the pageant stage.
In 2006, aged 20, she represented New Zealand at the World Miss University pageant in South Korea, then again in 2010 at the 50th Miss International pageant in China.
She would have loved to continue, but many pageants’ rules are narrow in scope, so after marrying husband Vedran in 2012, Ina reluctantly hung up her sash.
“Historically, pageants excluded married women and mothers, and there were strict age limits that prevented many women from participating,” tells Ina.
She was delighted to discover last year that in 2023, Miss Universe had removed the upper age limit of 28.
“It’s a significant step forward,” she smiles. “It recognises that beauty, leadership and ambition aren’t defined by age or relationship status, and that every woman has something valuable to contribute.”
And Vedran, 43, agreed, telling Ina, “If this is something that’s going to excite you and something that you really want to do, you should go for it.”
So she did. And the response, Ina says, has been wonderful.
“Everyone has actually been very supportive, surprisingly. It’s just been so well received.”
Life on & off the stage
Now one of 17 finalists from across the country, Ina is balancing the demands of the competition and family life alongside her role as the editor of Vegetarian Living NZ magazine.
She shares, “It’s been very busy juggling work, the kids, the drop-offs and pick-ups, and all of the events, but this experience has also made me do something just for myself.”
The competition’s grand final on July 28 will include a swimwear, evening wear and national costume segment, plus a final question round. The winner will represent New Zealand at the 75th Miss Universe international pageant in Puerto Rico in November.
Beyond the crown
But for Ina, the journey is about more than the crown. She has also thrown herself into the charitable component of the competition, organising a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and the Phil Scott Charitable Trust, which provides education and opportunities for vulnerable children and orphans in the Philippines.
Ina explains, “It’s an opportunity to use my voice, advocate for the causes I care about and inspire people to recognise that we are all connected, and that every small action has the power to make a difference.”
Animal welfare, environmental sustainability and healthy living are also incredibly important to Ina. Although there was a time when she thought it would be impossible for her to be a vegetarian.
“In Bulgaria, meat-eating and meat culture is very big, and I used to think, it’s so ingrained in me, I could never turn vegetarian,” admits Ina.
But around five years ago, as her husband started reducing his meat intake, Ina followed suit, eventually challenging herself to give it up all together.
She hasn’t looked back and alongside editing the vegetarian magazine, she’s also an executive committee member of the NZ Vegetarian Society.
For Ina, it’s proof that in all areas of life, change is always possible.
“I hope my journey encourages other women to embrace new opportunities, challenge expectations and pursue the goals that matter most to them,” she enthuses.
“I believe some of the most powerful chapters of a woman’s life are still waiting to be written after 40.”
The Miss Universe New Zealand final is on Tuesday, July 28 at SkyCity Theatre.
