Speakers set for national stage

PLACE GETTERS: Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Koutu students (from left) Tataurangi Hancock, 17, Whatukura Mohi, 13, Maria Davis Tini, 13, and Atelea Mapapalangi, 16. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Four young Rotorua orators will represent their schools and iwi on the national stage after winning their sections at the regional Manu Korero competition.

Students from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Koutu, John Paul College and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata will head to the national speech competition in Whangarei in September.

The regional competition was held in Taupo on Friday and had competitors from Rotorua, Reporoa, Taupo, Tokoroa and Turangi taking part.

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Koutu students Whatukura Mohi, 13, and Atelea Mapapalangi, 16, placed first overall for the junior Maori and senior Maori sections respectively.

But that was not the only victory for the local kura. Principal Uenuku Fairhall said this was the first year all four competitors from his school placed in their sections. Year 13 student Tataurangi Hancock, 17, placed third for the senior English section and Year 9 Maria Davis Tini, 13, placed third for the junior English section.

Atelea's speech topic was "kotahi rau tau ki mua, ka pehea te reo me ona tikanga mo aku uri?" (In 100 years how will te reo be for my descendants?).

"I have previously won the junior English section so I knew what to expect but I found it harder in Maori because our standards are so high."

Whatukura spoke on "ko nga patu o toku whare ko aku tikanga Maori" (the foundations of my house are my Maori rights).

"I found it easier doing it in Maori because I have grown up in te reo but it is quite terrifying having to stand up for my iwi and my waka."

John Paul College Year 13 student Te Mahara Swanson Hall, 18, was named the overall winner of the senior English section for her speech on "time waits for no one".

It was her second year competing and her second win, having won the senior English section last year as well.

"You're always nervous going into these things but at least this year I knew what to expect."

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata Year 10 student Te Aumihi Hohepa, 14, was blown away when she was announced the overall winner of the junior English section with her topic, "my Maori culture, my holistic being".

Te Aumihi said English was her second language so she entered that section to challenge herself.

"I was beside myself when I found out I had won my section, I couldn't believe it because I grew up in te reo so to win in English was amazing."