This week's Newsmaker is 16-year-old Te Mahara Swanson Hall. The Year 12 John Paul College student was one of four winners in the Te Arawa Manu Korero speech contest, winning the English section. The winners will go on the compete at the national Nga Manu Korero contest in September in Porirua.
What was your speech about?
The topic I chose was listen and learn from the stories of our ancestors.
I spoke about the importance of what our ancestors did and how we need to take the time to listen and educate ourselves in everything our tupuna accomplished.
Also the hope that our kaumatua will entrust their knowledge to us and that we shall listen to their reo and stories so we can pass them down for generations to come.
What are your plans after high school?