The Nelson Marlborough Kahurangi Regional Debating Championships were held recently, using a Zoom format rather than meeting in person.

Waimea’s three teams rose to the challenge of Zoom debating admirably, and even coped with a few technological hiccups along the way. Our inexperienced Junior teams acquitted themselves well, learning lots along the way and gaining a few wins, which will set them up well for the future.

Our Senior team went in with high expectations and undoubted passion, which resulted in some spirited and hard-fought debates. Topics were as varied as “Celebrities should not be given special treatment and allowed to bypass MIQ”, "The Olympics should ban sports with consistently strong records of doping", “Teachers' pay and promotion should be heavily influenced from the feedback of their students” and “If a small nation with highly aggressive neighbours can not rely on more powerful allies it would be preferable to have a nuclear arsenal rather than be nuclear free.”

At the end of the day, the Waimea Senior team, consisting of Leon Caslavsky, Mack Allred and Noah Fay (who was debating for the first time that day!), came up against a strong Nayland College team in the Senior Final, where the moot was - “We regret the privatisation of space travel and exploration.” Six minute speeches from each speaker had the audience swinging back and forth as thoroughly persuasive arguments were put forward on both sides. Ultimately the judges brought down a split decision, with the win going narrowly to the Waimea side, meaning that our team brought the Jeremy Johnson Cup back to Waimea for the first time.

Following that announcement, the Regional team which will compete at Nationals was announced. It was very gratifying to have both Noah and Mack named as reserves to the team – they will take part in all the training and be on standby for National (Zoom) debates. Congratulations to all who took part!