All students are welcome to take part in the upcoming competition on Friday 9 June. Please find all information below.

Kia ora tātou,

I am writing to you all to inform you of the Regional Ngā Manu Kōrero Māori Speech Competition. This year the competition will take place on June 9 2023 at Nelson College for Girls. The topics are attached below. 

There are FOUR main SECTIONS within this competition.

• Senior Māori Y11, Y12, Y13
• Junior Māori Y9 & Y10
• Senior English Y11, Y12, Y13
• Junior English Y9 & Y10

Criteria for each section:

In order to successfully enter and participate in the English section, you will need to whakapapa Māori (have Māori descent). This is stated in the Rule Book. Please feel free to contact me should you want any more information or details around this.

There is NO criteria to enter the Māori section of this competition. This section is open to all ākonga (students) from all ethnic groups. However, you will need to have a good understanding and command of the language in order to stand and present a speech confidently in te reo Māori.

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or concerns around this competition and the requirements and criteria for each section.

Background and history of Ngā Manu Kōrero

The competition was originally known as the 'Korimako Speech Contest,' named after the trophy that was donated by the then Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. The aim of the contest was to encourage a greater command and fluency in the use of spoken English amongst secondary school pupils. The Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) organised school and regional contests before the inaugural national final, which was held in August 1965. The contest was sponsored and organised jointly by the Māori Education Foundation (Now Māori Education Trust) and the PPTA (Post Primary Teachers Association) with the intention that the contest be held annually. A section for senior Māori oratory was added in 1977 in memory of Waikato elder and scholar Dr Pei Te Hurinui Jones who died in 1976.

We encourage all students to consider taking part in this year's competition. We will be setting up a support group to assist ākonga with writing and performing their speeches so they can perform to the best of their abilities and feel confident about taking part in this year's Ngā Manu Kōrero.

If you or your tamaiti (child) are unsure about competing, they are free to go through the process of writing and preparing their speech before making a choice closer to the competition.

If you or your tamaiti would like to participate this year, please review the suggested subjects or create your own. Then, please email chanel.ngaruhe@nayland.school.nz or sign up next term so that we can determine how many ākonga are interested.

Sign up sheets will be provided in the following areas:

• Covered Way- The area in front of the HALL
• Whare Pukapuka- Library
• Te Puna Manako- Whare
• Wharekai- Canteen

Ngā mihi,

Chanel Ngaruhe

Kaiako Reo Māori Te Kāreti o Neirana