He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero
Ngā Manu Kōrero is a significant event for nurturing the oratory skills of our rangatahi and providing a platform for our future rangatira to express their views and to lay down their challenges. On Friday, 18th June pononga from Te Pā joined 23 other schools at Hornby High School to celebrate our best young orators.
Kahia Ataria-Ashby stood in the Jr Te Reo Māori and spoke about “Nōu tōu reo, nōku tōku reo” - her own choice of topic.
Jordon Cameron stood in Jr English and spoke about “Wai” - his own choice of topic.
On the Senior stage Pari Simpson stood for Pei Te Hurinui Jones Senior Te Reo and spoke on the topic “Ko te weak te kaiako Matua o Taku ao".
Sophia Clarke-Walker stood for Korimako Senior English and spoke on the topic “Let me be the rangatahi today; I’ll be the rangatira tomorrow".
This was very exciting for Te Pā as it is the first time that we have had speakers entered into all four categories.
At prize giving, both Pari and Sophia gained places: Pari placed 3rd for her prepared speech and 3rd for her impromptu. Sophia placed 2nd for her prepared speech and 2nd for her impromptu. These results gave her the highest overall mark in English, meaning that Sophia will represent Waitaha at Nationals. This is a huge achievement that we are very proud of.
Manu Kōrero Nationals will be held 21-23 September 2021 in Palmerston North. Due to Covid-19, there is currently a restriction of only 10 places at Nationals for each school. This means that we can only send a very small group to support Sophia. We are in the early stages of planning for this.
In preparation for the regional competition all four speakers visited Rehua Marae to present their speeches at the Kaitaka Tipuna Kaumatua Hui. We were very proud of our rangatahi for asking us to organise this for them and the kaumātua were very appreciative of our pononga!
- Gina Duncan
Pari Simpson -
How did you feel about your stand at
manu kōrero?
I felt good and proud standing for manu kōrero. I had the opportunity to write my own Korero this year.
How did you feel representing Te Pā o Rākaihautū?
I felt very privileged to stand for my kura. I loved all the support from kaiako and pononga, and also going through the journey with out other Manu kōrero speakers who also inspired me to stand.
Sophia Clarke-Walker -
How did you feel about your stand at manu kōrero regionals?
"It was very scary being up on the stage in front all these amazing rangatahi and teachers. This was also my first time competing in the senior category, so I was especially nervous for the impromptu section. However I just tried to focus on doing my best and knowing that no matter the outcome Te Pā would have my back. I think it was a good stand but I have a lot to work on before nats in September."
How are you getting prepared for manu kōrero nationals and what are your feelings towards it?
"Right now I’m taking a break from manu korero to complete all my assessments and also focus on our upcoming regional kapahaka performance but I am very excited to travel to Palmy along with the other qualifying speakers. It will be a lot of work but will be a great experience for me."
Kahia Ataria-Ashby -
How did you feel about your stand at manu kōrero regionals?
I felt alright about it, but I don't think I did as good as I wanted to do. I am still proud of myself though for standing and giving it a go.
Are you planning on doing it again next year?
I am wanting to do it again next year, but I am scared to do impromptu as I will have to stand in the senior section. I'm willing to give it a go though.
Jordan Cameron -
How did you feel about your stand at manu kōrero regionals?
I felt algood about my stand at manu korero, but I was a bit annoyed about me messing up a few times. But i'm glad I did it and it was still a good experience.
Are you planning on doing it again next year?
Yeah I am thinking about doing it again next year.
