On May the 30th and 31st the Ōtākou/ Murihiku Ngā Manu Kōrero Regional Speech Competition was held in Invercargill. This event is regarded as a significant event on the Māori education calendar for nurturing the oratory skills of rakatahi Māori.

It was encouraging to see a large number of students taking part this year, the confidence, kaha and fluency of the rakatahi who spoke was inspiring. 

We had two speakers representing King’s, Finn Stanley (Year 11) who took part in the Korimako (Senior English) and Tukitaharaki Pōtiki (Year 10) entered the Sir Turi Carroll (Junior English). 

Both students did well and Tukitaharaki gained third place in his prepared speech. Tukitaharaki gave an inspiring speech talking about his whānau and he touched on how he has transformed his stutter into a super power. Ka mau te wehi! Finn gave tips to rakatahi about how to deal with stress. Our speakers were supported on stage by He Waka Kōtuia.

Nei te mihi ki ngā tauira me ngā whānau i tā koutou tautoko o te kaupapa whakahirahira nei.

nā Maya Tate-Manning