Irving is the youngest of seven children all born and brought up in the small country town of Waverly, Wanganui, New Zealand. Irving's mother is of Spanish descent and her father, Sid Irving, is of Māori (the indigenousPolynesian people of New Zealand) and Pākehā or European heritage. She studied communications and public relations at the Massey University in Palmerston North. She has toured New Zealand with a Hip Hop and Salsa dance troupe and regularly teaches salsa to children in Waverley.[1][2]
Pageants
Miss Earth New Zealand 2009
Irving was declared Miss Earth New Zealand 2009 in Auckland on 5 September 2009. She was the fifth Manawatū-Whanganui resident to be declared Miss Earth New Zealand in six years.
In the last round of the Miss Earth New Zealand 2009 competition, she was asked in the final question and answer segment, "If there was one famous New Zealander you could talk to, who would it be?" She replied: "John Key because he's the one who has the most influence in New Zealand and is making the decisions. I'd ask him what he plans to do about a number of environmental issues like recycling and carbon emissions."[3]
Catherine Irving appeared in an episode of TV3's 'Missing Pieces' as an extra working in the Wanganui gym.
References
^ abFerguson, Lin (1 September 2009). "Teen makes it to contest finals". Wanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 10 September 2009. Miss Earth New Zealand 2009
^ abNews Online, New Zealand (8 September 2009). "Miss Earth follows regional tradition". Fairfax New Zealand Limited, Manawatu Standard. Retrieved 10 September 2009. Miss Earth New Zealand 2009