Ngā Manu Kōrero - Ōtākou/Murihiku (Otago/Southland) Secondary School Māori Speech Competitions.

We had Jorja Andrews and Kaya Leevey compete in Ngā Manu Kōrero. Jorja competed in the Korimako - Senior English & Kaya competed in the Pei Te Hurinui Jones. Kaya got 3rd in her impromptu. Well done and congratulations! 

Ngā Manu Kōrero is regarded as the most significant event on the Māori education calendar for nurturing the oratory skills and providing the stage for young people to express their views and to lay down their challenges to an audience of peers, parents, whānau and judges. 

The speech contests are intended to encourage the development of skills and confidence of Māori students in spoken English and te reo Māori. All secondary schools are invited to participate in this wonderful event, noting that the Māori section is open to all students as part of a strategy to support everyone to learn and to speak in te reo Māori. 

Currently there is a strong sense of urgency within our communities to protect our indigenous Māori language so that it can be spoken and heard and understood across the current and future generations of Aotearoa New Zealanders. The commitment to ensure the survival of Māori language as a living, spoken and dynamic treasure is captured within the essence of Ngā Manu Kōrero. 

This kaupapa celebrates who we are as a nation. Ngā Manu Kōrero is about honouring the special and unique existence of being Māori and of sustaining our connections to the Māori world in all its glory. 

This is the 61st year of the competitions!