Ko te kai a te rangatira he kōrero - The food of chiefs is dialogue

Ngā Manu Kōrero is regarded as the most significant event on the Māori education calendar for nurturing the oratory skills and providing the stage for rangatahi to express their views and lay down their challenges to an admiring and critical audience of peers, parents, whānau and judges.

The speech contests are intended to encourage the development of skills and confidence of Māori students in spoken English and te reo Māori. We have been honoured to tautoko our two junior speakers in the National competition held in Dunedin this week. Fenella Cooney, Year 10, and Mareikura Nepia, also Year 10, represented Te Tau Ihu o te Waka a Māui in the junior section.

Fenella competed in the Sir Turi Carroll English contest which meant she presented a prepared speech in English between 4-6 minutes. Mareikura took part in the Rawhiti Ihaka contest where she presented her prepared speech in Maori for between 8-10 minutes. The level of competition from other students was very high and none of us believe the panel of judges had an easy job.

Mareikura and Fenella were supported by a rōpū of MGC, MBC and Nayland College students. Ngā mihi nui to our MGC roopu of Alex Brown, Trinaty Pillans, Issy Posa, Charley Taoho, Kaia Peek, Emma Morley, and Xylia McKenzie. You have all been wonderful. We were also supporting the two Nayland College speakers, Ruiha Pemberton and Xanthe Banks, representing Te Tau Ihu in the senior sections, and were really pleased to have Mātua John, Whaea Helen, Whaea Jacquie, Whaea Sarah, Whaea Delyn and the MBC rōpū to tautoko our speakers as well.

It was a wonderful week of travel, waiata, seeing the sights of Dunedin, visiting Otago University, making new friends and most importantly, listening to confident, talented and proud kaikorero from around the country. It was clear to us that being part of Ngā Manu Kōrero is important in building oratory and communication skills, as well as leadership. Our future is in very good hands! Ms Julie Saul and I were incredibly proud of Mareikura and Fenella, and all our students who travelled with us.

Ngā mihi nui to whānau who have supported us this week, in helping with funding and sending messages of support. We couldn't have done it without you!   Also special thanks to Pelorus Trust for providing a grant to assist with expenses.

As we head into the school holiday break, I hope all our students and staff take the time to relax, refresh and rejuvenate. It has been a full on term, with many activities, celebrations, assignments and assessments. As always there have been great times and a few bumpy ones. So, during the term break, take the time to connect with friends and whānau, reflect on what you have achieved in the last ten weeks, notice the things around you that bring you joy, get some exercise outside in the (hopefully) beautiful spring weather and have some fun. We know that Term 4 is busy and fast paced, so enjoy your quieter time for the next two weeks. 

Thank you as always for your ongoing support. 

Ngā mihi nui

Mary-Jeanne Lynch
Principal | Tumuaki