A speech by Tauranga Girls' College student Maraea Ranui about surviving the Battle of Gate Pa led to her speaking alongside Willie Apiata VC.
Maraea, 16, won the Battle of Gate Pa Secondary Schools Speech Competition held at the school on Friday night, earning the right of speaking with Corporal Apiata at the 150th commemoration dinner at Trinity Wharf on April 28.
Her speech was based on: "It is the morning of April 30 1864 and you have participated in and survived the Battle of Gate Pa . . . what are your thoughts? If you could send a message to the future about the battle what would it be?"
Maraea also won $750.
The competition was open to students in Years 11-13 in Western Bay of Plenty schools.