On Friday the 13th of May Melerita Malaulau traveled to Wellington to perform a speech at the race relations speech competition at the Police National Headquarters.

The Race unity speech kaupapa for 2022 was Ngā matimati nō te ringa kotahi - the fingers of one hand. The speeches were looking at breaking down conflict between races by focussing on how we are all part of one race; the human race. Melerita spoke about institutionalized racism in schools and the expectation of Pacific and Maori students to fit into a mold that does not work. 

She spoke with passion, integrity and Mana when speaking and showed the school values in action. There were 12 participants from a range of schools around the Wellington Region who spoke that evening. Although Melerita did not progress to the national round this was an amazing experience for her and one I'm sure she will never forget. 

Thank you to her Mother and Aunty and Ms Anderson for coming to support Melerita on the evening.