The high standards set by Napier school St Joseph's Maori Girls' College in speech-making were again clear as the school dominated the regional Manu Korero secondary schools competition at the EIT in Taradale on Friday.
Based in Greenmeadows, Napier, the school, which has a 150th anniversary celebration next year, won three of the four major sections and will be strongly represented at the national finals in Whangarei on September 20-22.
St Joseph's three triumphs were in the Rawhiti Ihaka Junior Maori section won by Pumanawa Rawiri, the Korimako Senior English section won by Ereti King, and the Sir Turi Carroll Junior English section, won by Danika McGill.
Ms King had the best impromptu speech in her section, while the best prepared speech was that of Lennox Winitana.
The St Joseph's domination of the major prizes was broken only by budding Te Aute College orator Tauawhi Bonilla who won the Pei Te Hurinui Jones Senior Maori section, with the best impromptu speech and the best prepared speech.