Whakarongo ake ki te tangi a te manu
E karanga nei, Tui, tui, tuituia.
Tuia ki runga, tuia ki raro
Tuia ki roto, tuia ki waho
Ka rongo te ao, ka rongo te pō
Tuia ki te kāwai tangata
I heke mai i Hawaiki nui
I Hawaiki roa
I Hawaiki pāmamao
I te hono ki Wairua
Ki te whaiao, ki te ao mārama
Tuuturu whakamaua kia tina! Tina!
Haumi e! Hui e! Taiki e!
Last week, four of our talented students proudly represented our kura at the prestigious Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition. They performed exceptionally well, demonstrating confidence, leadership, cultural pride and outstanding public speaking skills.
Our competitors were:
- Olivia Retimana – Korimako (Senior English) – 3rd Overall
‘Home: The Place My Soul Bookmarks’ - Amelia Moke – Pei Te Hurinui (Senior Māori) – 6th Prepared, 5th Equal Impromptu
‘Mana Motuhaketia te Taiao’ - Avia Masaga – Tā Turi Carroll (Junior English) – 5th Overall
‘Generation Kotahitanga – Māori Youth Leading Unity’ - Blake Macleod – Rāwhiti Ihaka (Junior Māori) – 5th Overall
‘E kore tōku pūweru e māku i te pata ua!’
Ngā Manu Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau ki te Waitemata is a premier speech competition for Māori secondary school students based in central, north and west Auckland schools. It provides a platform for rangatahi to develop and showcase their skills in public speaking, critical thinking, research, language, and leadership. Through the power of kōrero, students are encouraged to express their perspectives, champion issues important to them, and strengthen their connection to te reo Māori and tikanga Māori. The winners of each section then head to the Ngā Manu Kōrero Nationals to compete on behalf of our rohe.
The tauparapara above speaks of weaving together people, knowledge, whakapapa, and purpose. This whakaaro sits at the heart of Ngā Manu Kōrero, where the voices of our rangatahi are heard, valued, and celebrated. Through speech, students weave together their experiences, values, and aspirations, creating powerful messages that inspire, challenge, and unite their audiences.
For our young Māori wāhine, participation in Ngā Manu Kōrero offers a powerful opportunity to grow as confident leaders and advocates. It nurtures self-belief, strengthens cultural identity, and develops the courage to stand proudly and speak with conviction. These experiences empower our rangatahi to carry their voices beyond the stage and into their communities, education, and future pathways.
We are incredibly proud of Olivia, Amelia, Avia and Blake for the dedication, courage, and excellence they displayed on stage. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, preparation, and commitment. They represented our kura with mana, grace and distinction, and we congratulate them on their outstanding performances.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao. – The bird that partakes of knowledge owns the world.
