Northern Advocate
  • Northern Advocate home
  • Latest news
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Property
  • Video
  • Death notices
  • Classifieds

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
  • Sport
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Residential property listings

Locations

  • Far North
  • Kaitaia
  • Kaikohe
  • Bay of Islands
  • Whangārei
  • Kaipara
  • Mangawhai
  • Dargaville

Media

  • Video
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-Editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

Weather

  • Kaitaia
  • Whangārei
  • Dargaville

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • What the Actual
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Northern Advocate

Young orators shine at Far North’s Te Hiku speech competition

Northern Advocate
4 Sep, 2024 05:00 PM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

The Far North Inter-Schools Speech Competition Year 8 overall winner was Eelia Lafotanoa, from Oruaiti School, pictured here with judge Myjanne Jensen.

The Far North Inter-Schools Speech Competition Year 8 overall winner was Eelia Lafotanoa, from Oruaiti School, pictured here with judge Myjanne Jensen.

Students from 10 schools and kura kaupapa Māori across Te Hiku showcased their oratory skills and passion on a wide range of topics at the Te Hiku o-te Ika Manu Korero – Far North Schools Speech Competition.

It was held at the Te Ahu Main Hall on August 21 and 22.

Pompallier Catholic School first hosted the inter-zone school competition in 2008, with principal Kathryn Carey playing a pivotal role in its inception.

In 2015, Far North REAP was invited to take over the hosting of this competition, which has become a cherished tradition within the Te Hiku community.

Suzy Ratu was the Year 7 Māori speech winner at the recent Te Hiku o-te Ika Manu Korero – Far North Schools Speech Competition.
Suzy Ratu was the Year 7 Māori speech winner at the recent Te Hiku o-te Ika Manu Korero – Far North Schools Speech Competition.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The success of the event is a testament to the dedication of volunteers, who work tirelessly to create a well-organised and supportive environment for all participants.

A heartening trend is emerging, with past participants returning to watch the competition, this time with their own children on stage. Remarkably, one former competitor has even returned as a kaiako, guiding the next generation of orators.

Throughout the event, students captivated audiences with speeches on topics close to their hearts, including technology addiction, to ku ao Māori, reo Māori and what it means to me, why Aotearoa should become an independent country, the consequences of drinking alcohol and driving, the housing crisis, and more.

The Year 5 English speech winners were Beth-Ann Houtas (left), Calibre Herbert, Nova Attwood and Kevin George.
The Year 5 English speech winners were Beth-Ann Houtas (left), Calibre Herbert, Nova Attwood and Kevin George.

“We are incredibly proud of the ākonga /students who took the stage and shared their voices with confidence and courage, contributing to the rich tradition of Māori and English oratory in Te Hiku/Far North,” REAP said in a statement.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The late Faye Irwin-Erceg’s daughter, Carol Bellingham, had the honour of presenting the most sought-after award, the Far North Inter-Schools Speech Competition Year 8 Overall Winner, to Eelia Lafotanoa from Oruaiti School. This award, donated by the late Irwin-Erceg in 2011, is a testament to her commitment to education and nurturing the voices of our future leaders.

REAP wanted to thank all the sponsors, teachers, volunteers, and students, who made the event such a success.

Year 5 Māori speech contestants Billy Waenga (left), Miringa Yelash, Te Rehina Rangitahi.
Year 5 Māori speech contestants Billy Waenga (left), Miringa Yelash, Te Rehina Rangitahi.

Results:

Far North Inter-Schools Speech Competition Year 8 Overall Winner awarded to:

Eelia Lafotanoa, Oruaiti School

Year 8 Te Reo Māori:

1st: Mohi Kara, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pukemiro

2nd: Tangaroa Pene Hare, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa

3rd: Poutama Tahana, Te Kura Taumata o Panguru

Year 8 English:

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

1st: Eelia Lafotanoa, Oruaiti School

2nd: Haylo Ballass, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa

3rd: Mitchell McLean, Kaingaroa School

Ruby Cottle shows off her spoils after being named the Year 7  English speech winner.
Ruby Cottle shows off her spoils after being named the Year 7 English speech winner.

Year 7 Te Reo Māori:

1st: Suzy Ratu, Te Kura o Te Kao

2nd: Trinity Crooks Anderson, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

3rd: Lucy Kara, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pukemiro

Discover more

  • Te Ahu to host Te Hiku Manukorero Far North Speech ...
  • End racism is plea from Northland Race Unity Speech ...
  • Kerikeri student crowned joint winner of Race Unity ...
  • Speech competition major tool in promoting te reo - ...

Year 7 English:

1st: Ruby Cottle, Pukenui School

2nd: Liya George, Pompallier Catholic School

3rd: Treyson Tarapa, Te Kura Taumata o Panguru

Year 6 Te Reo Māori:

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

1st: Te Waiora Harawira, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa

2nd: Peyton Snow Te Wake, Te Kura Taumata o Panguru

3rd: Maia Marsden, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pukemiro

Year 6 English:

1st equal: Esme Lambert, Paparore School, and Toby Mulholland, Pompallier Catholic School

2nd: Lisayne Petera-O’Brien, Kaitāia Primary School

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

3rd: Madeline Ogle, Oruaiti School

Year 5 Te Reo Māori:

1st equal: Te Rehina Rangitahi, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, and Te Aiorangi Takawe, Te Kura o Te Kao

2nd: Miringa Yelash, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pukemiro

3rd: Billy Waenga, Te Kura Taumata o Panguru

Year 5 English:

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

1st: Kevin George, Pompallier Catholic School

2nd: equal: Calibre Herbert, Kaitāia Primary School, and Nova Attwood, Paparore Primary School

3rd: Beth-Ann Houtas, Oruaiti School

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Northern Advocate

Northern Advocate

Vinery Lane renovation

Northern Advocate

'We’re desperate': SPCA's urgent plea for foster homes for puppies

15 May 04:00 AM
Northern Advocate

Far North news briefs - book DoC huts, booze views sought and mental health talks

14 May 06:00 PM

The Hire A Hubby hero turning handyman stereotypes on their head

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Northern Advocate

Vinery Lane renovation

Vinery Lane renovation

The Vinery Lane eco-renovation has transformed the inner-city Whangārei building.

'We’re desperate': SPCA's urgent plea for foster homes for puppies

'We’re desperate': SPCA's urgent plea for foster homes for puppies

15 May 04:00 AM
Far North news briefs - book DoC huts, booze views sought and mental health talks

Far North news briefs - book DoC huts, booze views sought and mental health talks

14 May 06:00 PM
Kaitāia's Quarry Rd bridge upgrade should be finished by end of July

Kaitāia's Quarry Rd bridge upgrade should be finished by end of July

14 May 06:00 PM
Gold demand soars amid global turmoil
sponsored

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • The Northern Advocate e-edition
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the Northern Advocate
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The Northern Advocate
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP
search by queryly Advanced Search