Forgotten hero inspires Anzac speech

Rotorua Boys' High School student Jack Potaka is off to Turkey. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua's Jack Potaka has won himself the opportunity of a lifetime - a trip to Gallipoli to join this month's Anzac Day commemorations.

The 16-year-old Rotorua Boys' High School deputy head prefect won the top prize in the national final of the ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition, held in Wellington on Friday.

The competition aimed to promote a deeper understanding among young people of the sacrifices made by those who served New Zealand in wars and armed conflicts overseas..

Jack competed against seven other Year 12 and 13 regional finalists with his speech The Forgotten Hero.

He won a $1000 travel fund, a trophy, a laptop computer, digital camera and a 12-day trip to Gallipoli for the ANZAC day commemorations.

Jack said he'd been in disbelief since he was announced the winner. "I was so nervous when they read out the winner, then I thought 'far out that's me'," he said.

"I was just in a dream, I couldn't believe it."

Last year he came second in the regional competition but this year "was in it to win it", he said.

About three days before regionals he learnt about a relative of his, Porokoru Patapu (John) Pohe, and of his bravery during World War II.

Learning about Pohe inspired him to change his speech at the last minute so he spent "almost every minute" in between sports sessions and classes rehearsing it.

"I think all my hard work has paid off. There's a saying that goes 'talent gets you to the door, but hard work will get you through it'."