This year we had four speakers compete at the regional Ngā Manu Kōrero Māori Speech Competition which was held last Friday at Lincoln University.

The boys worked extremely hard in the lead up to this day, with the help and assistance of Matua Hone Rask, Whaea Hannah Cook, Matua Te Matau Flanagan and Matua Joseph Papesch. 

The boys’ speeches revovled around the topics of culture, language and the envronment. 

Te Kaio Cranwell and Theles Hakaria competed in the Te Reo Māori categories and Tamatoa Tuhou and Hamuera Waiti competed in the English categories. 

There was a support rōpu which included students from our kapa haka group and the te reo Māori classes. 

The boys performed the school haka for the junior categories, and Kō Te Pae Tawhiti for the senior categories.

Placings:

• Hamuera Waiti – 6th place in Junior English
• Te Kaio Cranwell – 4th equal place in Junior Māori
• Theles Hakaria – 4th equal place in Senior Māori
• Tamatoa Tuhoe – 5th overall in Senior English, and 2nd place in prepared English

This year we are looking to take a small group up to the National Ngā Manu Kōrero competition which is held in Palmerston North in September.

A massive thanks to our whānau, staff and students for supporting this kaupapa – we are looking forward to next year!