A local secondary school student has taken out first place in this years NZ Race Unity Regional Speech Awards gaining a place in the national semi finals.
Winner Kimberly D'Mellow from Aquinas College shared her views on race relations addressing the topic, 'Big Change Starts Small' Itiiti Raerea, Kahika Teitei, Ka Taea/The smallest bellbird is able to climb to the heights of the tallest Kahikatea tree'.
Contestants considered the concept of diversity, their experiences of being friends with other races and cultures and practical steps to become more united.
Runner up was Maringi Marsh from Mount Maunganui College who made reference to the desirability of having a 'colour-blind society'.
Initiated in 2001 by the NZ Baha'i Community, the annual national speech contest is co-sponsored by the NZ Police and supported by the Human Rights Commission and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.
Both Kimberly and Maringi will travel to Auckland to compete against other regional winners on May 15 and will also attend the Race Unity Conference.
Speech finals will be held May 16.