Te kura o Waimairi-iri rangatahi proudly represented themselves and Burnside High School at Ngā Manu Kōrero, the esteemed annual oratory showcase, held at Kaiapoi High school on the 15th and 16th of June.

This event is hugely important and significant for ākonga Māori to showcase and nurture their leadership and oratory skills and express their views and opinions in Te reo Māori and English, to a variety of whānau, kura and judges from across our rōhe. This competition not only promotes the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori but also helps to instill responsibility and a sense of community and culture for our tauira.

In 2023 there were five speeches from our tauira. Dustin Marshall, Year 12 spoke twice, on the first day his impromptu was on the topic “Dream it, believe it, achieve it”. Ari Keshariya and Taylor Smith, both in Year 10 spoke on the topic “Huripari atu, huripari mai, Kia mai rānei te iro” which translates to “cyclone after cyclone have we learned the lessons”. Speakers spoke about their place as kaitiaki guardians and making meaningful changes for future generations to protect the whenua. Many topics were speakers' own choices, or from a range of preset ideas, for example about being unapologetically Māori. This was a chance for them to truly show their empowerment in being Māori. Following each kōrero was a hearty tautoko from the speakers kura to show their support of the orators. Waiata/haka and mōteatea lifted the roof. Te kura o Waimairi-iri kapahaka rōpu should be particularly proud of their resounding school haka in support of Dustin who spoke about climate change and Latasha Gibson-Ioane, Year 12 who spoke about her own heritage, Moana-nui he aitanga a kiwa ahau, or I am a decendant of the Pacific. This speech was in Te Reo Māori - He manawa tītī, He poho o kereru Latasha. You were strong like the tītī and made our chests puff like the Kereru. We are so proud of the whole school whānau efforts and we hope we can continue this excellent effort and karawhiua give-it-a-go attitude for years to come.

Huge shout out to Kōka and Mr Findlay for organising and to Jade for all your guidance with the haka and waiata. Thanks so much to our kaiako who came and experienced this event, Mr Tellick, Miss Heta, Matua Matt and Ms Prasterdee.

Ngā mihi nūnui ki a koutou mō tō tautoko me te manaakitanga ki tō tātou ākonga.