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One of the judges at this week’s Manu Korero secondary school speech competitions says he was impressed with the confidence and skill displayed by the contestants.
Chris McKenzie says across the board students seemed better prepared than previous years and were clearly delivering the speeches they wanted.
While he was judging the junior English section, he says it was the reo Maori speakers who stood out.
"The Maori speakers appear to be far more confident and animated when they stand and speak. They generally speak for longer and the quality of the thought that goes into it from the Maori side is generally a little better, not to say the quality wasn't good on the English side," Mr McKenzie says.
The Pei Te Hurinui Jones prize for senior Maori was won by Akuira Tiakiwai of Te Wharekura o Ruatoki, with classmate Te Iwarangi Hare winning the best prepared speech in the Korimako senior English contest.
Awatea Wihongi from Nga Puna o Waiorea was the best female speaker in the Pei, and Thomas Aerepo-Morgan from Te Wharekura o Arowhenua was best impromptu Maori speaker.
The best impromptu speaker in the Korimako English competition was Te Ariki Te Puni from Palmerston Boys High School.
Moana Cook from Te Kura Maori o Nga Tapuwae was best junior English speaker, while the junior Maori contest was won by Kaanihi Butler-Hare from Te Ara Whanui in Petone, with Whariki Black from St Joseph's Maori Girls College in Napier the best junior female.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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