Rangatahi speak up

• Published date: 23 June 2022
• Publication title: Southland Express

The event is regarded as the most significant event on the Maori education calendar for nurturing oratory skills

The competition had four categories: senior Maori, senior English, junior Maori and junior English.

King’s High School’s Te Atarau Cassidy and Queen’s High School’s Tallulah Costa won the senior Maori and English categories, respectively. Te Atarau also was first in senior Maori impromptu section and first overall.

Maia Rakete-Gray, of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Otepoti, was first in the senior prepared section.

Te Wharekura o Arowhenua’s Hana Davis and Mount Aspiring College’s Ryan Tuki Enokaa won the top prize in the junior Maori and English categories, respectively.

Regional manu korero co-ordinator Cherie Ford said the event was important for providing a stage for young people to express their views.

‘‘It is an amazing opportunity for our Maori students to be able to take the stage and talk about topics that are very dear to their hearts and it is an amazing opportunity for the audience and other students to be able to hear what they have to say.’’

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