Merewalesi Nailatikau is Miss Vodafone Fiji Hibiscus 2009.

After the week-long Vodafone Hibiscus Festival ended on Saturday night, Miss FNPFwas announced winner beating 19 other contestants to the coveted crown.

On her final hurdle, the Kadavu queen had to respond to a random statement picked from a basket. With an academic background in psychology, Miss Nailatikau went on to deliver one of the most articulate responses that the Hibiscus Festival has ever heard.

Upon delivering her winning speech, Miss Nailatikau dedicated her win to the workers of Fiji, her family and sponsors; while adding that, “I will do my best to do Fiji proud, just as I am proud to be a Fiji Islander".

Miss Nailatikau will now represent Fiji in the South Pacific Beauty pageant in November, to be held in Fiji.

This year's Vodafone Hibiscus Festival was branded the best ever with a total of 82 contestants participating in five different categories.

Other contestants who made it to the top five were Miss Supreme Fuel/Heart Foundation Sulueti Waqa (who was also Miss Charity 2009), Miss Sky Pacific Abigail Young (First runner-up), Miss Suva City Council Sera Fatafehi (Second runner-up) and Miss Kidney Foundation Nehal Kapadia.

The FNPF was also placed third in the Charity category.