On Thursday 18th May, we held our in-school Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition and what a day it was! We were able to use the auditorium in new building, Auripo, and this took the event to new heights.

We are so proud of all of our rangatahi who stood before their peers and teachers and spoke on a kaupapa of importance to them - in English, NZ Sign Language, or te reo Māori - kei te tino poho kererū mātou ki a rātou. We’re also proud of our ākonga who spent time showing manaakitanga to our speakers by preparing kai for meal breaks, giving encouragement, and even MC’ing parts of the event!

He mihi nunui anō ki a Chris Smith, who did an awesome job in leading the organisation of this event, our kaiwhakawā, including guest judges who gave their time to support this kaupapa, Heperi Harris, Dr Phyllis Callaghan, and Marlene Te’evale-Hunt, and Sondra Pawhau-Bunt and Chantelle Rakich who put in significant time to bring this important event together.

A final mihi to all the kaiako who supported our ākonga with the preparation of their speeches, and who came over to tautoko during the day.

Next stop, the Waitaha regional Ngā Manu Kōrero competition held at Te Kura Tuarua o Kaiapoi on the 15th and 16th of June.