Miss Universe New Zealand organisers have described as "not a big deal" revelations that a second contestant was ineligible.

Organisers earlier admitted they knew that winner Avianca Bohm, who emigrated to New Zealand from South Africa as a teen, was not eligible, but they said they didn't think she would win Saturday's event.

Avianca Bohm ... organisers let her compete because they did not think she would win. Credit:Ross Giblin

They are now scrambling to get citizenship for the 22-year-old to allow her to represent New Zealand at the Miss Universe pageant in December.

Pageant director Val Lott is blaming an "oversight" for the mix-up but sponsor and judge Jack Yan today revealed Miss Otago Monique Cooley is an Australian citizen and was also ineligible.