“Ko tōku reo tōku ohooho, māpihi mauria”“My language is my awakening, my language is the window to my soul”
On June 6th and 7th, 2024, four Shirley Boys’ High School students embarked on a remarkable journey to represent themselves, their whānau, kura, hapū, and iwi at the Waitaha Regional Ngā Manu Kōrero Competition. Held at Haeata Community Campus, this event showcased the oratory skills of students from across the region.
Day One: Thursday, 6th June
Maia Te Tohu a Tu Gerrad and Zavier Stack competed in the Pei Te Hurunui (Senior Māori) and Korimako (Senior English) Impromptu sections. Both speakers delivered outstanding performances. Maia secured 5th place overall in the impromptu section, while Zavier excelled, achieving 2nd place.
Day Two: Friday, 7th June
The second day saw Pumau Tana and Tukotahi Wetini take the stage. Pumau captivated the audience in the Rawhiti Ihaka (Junior Māori) section with a riveting speech about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, earning him 2nd place overall. Tukotahi delivered a thought-provoking speech on ‘Do Māori stories transcend to myth and legend,’ securing 3rd place overall.
In the afternoon, Maia and Zavier returned to compete in the Takatū (Prepared Speech) section. Maia eloquently spoke on ‘Short-term pain, long-term gain,’ while Zavier offered insightful ‘Rangatahi tips’ with his speech ‘Stress less, live more.’ Both speakers performed exceptionally well, each placing 4th overall in their sections.
Historic Achievement
For the first time in history, Shirley Boys’ High School achieved an impressive 2nd place overall in the entire region. This historic accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all the speakers, who practiced diligently for over two months.
Special thanks to Matua Chez and Matua Paora for their ongoing support and guidance, ensuring that the boys spoke with excellence and confidence. Their commitment to nurturing these young talents has been invaluable.
Congratulations to all the speakers for their valiant efforts and outstanding achievements at the Waitaha Regional Ngā Manu Kōrero Competition.
Results
4th Overall Pei te Hurunui (Senior Māori)
4th Overall Korimako (Senior English)
3rd Overall Sir Turi Carroll (Junior English)
2nd Overall Te Rawhiti Ihaka (Junior Māori)
2nd Kura overall (2nd highest overall marks for the region)
