A grand day for Nurul at Miss Universe New Zealand

Proud moment: Nurul Zuriantie, seen in her official costume on the catwalk, is all smiles after finishing fifth in the Miss Universe New Zealand pageant.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian-born Nurul Zuriantie Shamsul, who wore a hijab at the Miss Universe New Zealand 2018, finished fifth in the beauty pageant.

The Star’s Malay-language portal mStar reported that the 20-year-old was elated with her achievement.

The results of the competition was announced on the Miss Universe New Zealand 2018 Facebook page on Saturday night.

“Alhamdullilah. I am very happy. It was an amazing experience that has helped me as an individual,” she told mStar.

Nurul, who was born in Ampang, Selangor, moved to New Zealand when she was five years old.

She wore a gold-coloured hijab and a long dress at the competition.

Nurul also said her best moment was when “I could see both my parents looking really proud” when she was announced as one of the top five finalists.

The psychology student at the University of Waikato in Hamilton also expressed her gratitude to those who had supported her when she joined the competition.

“It would not have happened without the love and support of all of you.

“I am grateful to God who has given me this opportunity and for helping me to reach this level.

“Alhamdulillah, I was calm, and was not nervous at all during the competition,” she said during the interview.

mStar reported that Nurul’s parents and her two brothers also gave her their support.

Nurul created history when she became the first to wear a hijab during the final round of the competition.

Estelle Curd was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand 2018.

Curd is a human resource manager who works in Auckland and had also entered the competition in 2014.

The 27-year-old will be representing her country at the 67th Miss Universe pageant that will be held in Bangkok at the end of this year.