Tēnā tātau, e te Kapa Kaiako e
Ngā Manu Kōrero is a speech competition for Māori secondary school students, with a huge amount of mana from a Māori point of view. A good representation at this event, reflects a school with well supported Māori students. The winners of the senior sections win a $15 000 scholarship each, as well as other prizes.
Mairehau High School fielded four speakers, which is a goal we have had for a long time. Tokowhā ngā kaikōrero - is a first, for our school.
As a school overall, we placed third, out of 20 schools. Our students carried themselves with mana, in an intense environment. Our four speakers were well received by the Māori community, as they stood as strong symbols of rangatahi Māori achieving, as Māori, for their whānau.
We acknowledge our students - Reese Dillimore, Teah Morrison, Elijah Pōkai-Harris and Te Ataarangi Pakeha-Kennedy. As Māori, to stand and be judged, as they did, by their own people, is a uniquely courageous experience.
Individually, Te Ataarangi placed the highest; sixth out of 13.
Thank you to supporting staff, e te Kapa! From dropping off kai, to pick-ups and drop-offs, to encouraging comments and positive vibes for our speakers. It all worked to put up four rangatahi Māori, stable to stand, as Māori, and kōrero.
- Matua Matiu Thoms -
