Amelia Moke (Year 11) competed at this year’s Ngā Manu Kōrero Speech Competition’, on Friday 14th June, at Ngā Puna o Waiōrea – Western Springs College.
This is Amelia’s second time competing at Ngā Manu Kōrero in the Māori section (Pei Te Hurinui). Last year, she competed in the Junior section as a Year 10 and now in the Senior section as a Year 11. Her topic this year focused on her desire to learn te reo Māori. This wawata came from the pain she felt after hearing the stories her Nan told of being denied such a thing.
Amelia’s first line came from a Moteatea written by Tirakahurangi Takuira-Leaf.
“He ongeonge i tō wehenga
Hoki mai hoki mai,
Hei hoa haere, piri tata mai,
Auē auē e toku reo e.”
“I’m overwhelmed with loneliness
since our separation, return to me,,
Return to me so we may be partners,
Stay close to me, oh my language.”
This set the tone for the rest of Amelia’s speech. We are excited to see Amelia flourish as a speaker at the annual event in the years to come! With the hopes of taking a speaker in each section (Junior English, Senior English, Junior Māori, Senior Māori).
To support Amelia at this year’s Manu Kōrero, fifteen of Westlake’s Kapa Haka made the trip to tautoko after her speech. Both Year 11 te reo Māori classes also made the trip as part of a class trip, looking at the level of kōrero shown at these events.
We want to thank the hosting schools, Te Puna o Wairaka (Mt Albert Grammar School), Ngā Puna o Waiōrea (Western Springs College), Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kotuku, and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae for running a fantastic day. It allowed Rangatahi Māori to show their speech writing excellence and tell their stories!