Ngā Manu Kōrero Regional Māori Speech Competition

By Ella Moses | Posted: Thursday May 29, 2025

On Wednesday and Thursday this week, Otago Boys' and Otago Girls' High Schools attended the annual Ngā Manu Kōrero Regional Māori Speech Competition.

High schools and colleges from all over Ōtākou gathered to support and represent their speakers, who competed in four categories: Senior Māori, Junior Māori, Senior English, and Junior English, as well as in Senior Impromptu speeches.

From our schools, we proudly supported Jade Wilson (Year 13, Senior English) and Lily Napier (Year 9, Junior English) along with Gus Attenborough (Year 11, Senior English) and Tāmati Matthews (Year 9, Junior English). We are incredibly proud of all four for standing and delivering such passionate and thoughtful kōrero.

Over three dozen speeches were presented across the two days, each supported by a waiata or haka performed by their school groups. A special mihi of thanks goes out to all our students, teachers, principals, and whānau who did an outstanding job of supporting both our speakers and this kaupapa. Thanks also to the Otago Daily Times for supplying some great shots of our students.

The prizegiving was held on Thursday afternoon. Jade Wilson placed equal second in the Senior English Impromptu category, and Tāmati Matthews placed second in Junior English.

It was an amazing opportunity for Māori students and all who attended from across Ōtākou and Murihiku to connect with and embrace their reo and ahurea Māori alongside other kura.

Kā mihi Maioha

Nā 

Ella Moses (Year 13 OGHS)

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