National Ngā Manu Kōrero Speech Competitions 2019

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 admiring and critical 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 ensuring the survival of Māori language as a living, spoken and dynamic treasure is captured within the essence of Ngā Manu Kōrero.

This kaupapa is precious and endearing to each of us because it 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.

The national secondary speech contests are now entering their 54th year and the national finals this year will be hosted by Ngā Manu Kōrero 2019 ki Manawatū / Horowhenua, at The Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North on Tuesday 10 – Thursday 12 September 2019.