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Otago Daily Times
17-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Speech inspired by life
A Wānaka student was one of six finalists for national race unity speech awards held in Auckland on May 3 and 4. Mount Aspiring College year 13 student Tanyn Wood received the Tohu Manaakitanga — the Manukau Institute of Technology Award for Manaakitanga. The award is for a speaker who demonstrates manaakitanga or hospitality through ngakau (compassion) and aroha (empathy) in overcoming prejudice. The race unity speech awards are held every year and offer senior secondary students a platform to express their perspectives on race relations in New Zealand. The overall champion was Joy Pillay, from Ormiston Senior College, in Auckland. This was Tanyn's second year being a finalist for the awards, which she said meant a lot to her as a first-generation immigrant. Tanyn moved to New Zealand when she was 10 from South Africa and was attending St Peter's College in Cambridge until this year when she applied for the Mount Aspiring College Hostel Programme. The programme welcomes select year 13 students from across the country to experience semi-independent living and take part in outdoor programmes. Her decision to apply was influenced by pictures she had seen of Wānaka's scenery and activities. Since moving south, Tanyn has immersed herself in new experiences and the speech awards were a part of that. "I just really enjoy keeping busy, trying new things and pushing myself," she said. Each year, students taking part in the speech awards are asked to suggest a theme and, this year, her theme, "The Great Ocean of Diversity", was chosen. The title of her speech was "Aotearoa: One Ocean, Born of Many Rivers — Diverse and United". "When we allow ourselves to be blinded by differences we corrupt our rivers and the ocean suffers," she said. Tanyn's speech uses oceans and rivers as a metaphor for Aotearoa's diversity, something that was inspired by her own migrant journey as well as her new experiences being surrounded by Wānaka's natural landscape. She added she was thrilled to have been one of the finalists and was both excited and nervous to be delivering the speech to her school in the coming weeks. Police Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers, the chief judge of the awards, stressed the importance of providing a platform for rangatahi to discuss and share their thoughts on important societal issues. "I am astonished by the quality of the speeches from our young people," she said. "As police, we are proud to be supporting a platform for our young people to voice their aspirations and solutions." The students also participated in a race unity hui, where they discussed race relations.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Western Heights head girl Maya Blackman wins Race Unity Speech award
The awards give students a platform for expressing ideas about improving race relations. Maya delivered her speech in te reo Māori and spoke about values for supporting the development of the Great Ocean of Diversity – the theme of this year's event. She received her Duke of Edinburgh Silver award this year, and was the first person from her school to complete the programme's Te Ao Māori-centred He Aratūtahi pathway. The high achiever was also a member of Rotorua Youth Council and competed in the Waka Ama National Secondary Schools Competition. She said the 'power of Te Ao Māori' had been a driving force in her life from a young age. 'I owe my tūpuna for every opportunity, for they paved the way for me to be staunch, proud and Māori.' The speech competition was her first in te reo, and she said feedback from regional judges made her feel empowered to kōrero Māori without embarrassment or nervousness about making a mistake. Jordyn Joy Pillay from Auckland's Ormiston Senior College was named the national champion of the event. Police Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers, the chief judge, said it was important to provide a platform for rangatahi to share their thoughts on important societal issues. She was 'astonished by the quality of the speeches' and police were proud to support the event. Chief Children's Commissioner-Mana Mokopuna, Claire Achmad, was the MC and said the award-winners made the speeches with the best chance of 'swaying hearts and minds towards race unity'. 'The reality is that we all need to be in one waka – he waka eke noa – and our speakers have shown us that we all need to play our part.' Western Heights High School principal James Bracefield told the Rotorua Daily Post the school was very proud of Maya's achievement, 'and the level of thought, detail and commitment she put into her speech'. 'She is an outstanding student leader here at Western Heights and it is great to see her perform and be recognised at a national level.' Maya Blackman's speech Read it in English below or scroll down for the original te reo. English: Greetings to you all. My name is Maya Blackman, I descend from Ngāti Maniapoto and Raukawa (near the Pūtāruru/Tokoroa region). And to the north, I descend from Ngāti Wai and Ngā Puhi. The Great Ocean of Diversity is the central topic of our speeches. Everywhere you look, you can observe people's differences. Diversity is not something that can simply be ignored. It flows from the history of our country through to the present day. In my opinion, it is not something that is diminished. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. It can be seen in religions, tribes, and types of music, too. But, how will we embrace the idea of diversity? That is the main discussion. Acceptance is only the beginning; from there, you must broaden your knowledge and look below the surface. Question one: What personal qualities, attitudes, values, and perspectives should we develop to better contribute to Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau – the Great Ocean of Diversity? I am very proud to be Māori and of my heritage, which is why I look to those before me. The mana they held in great esteem, the respect they shared, and the kindness they showed. In my opinion, three values support the development of the Great Ocean of Diversity. Advertise with NZME. The first is hospitality/kindness. I am in Te Akoranga Reo Rua (Reo Māori immersion) at my school. Here is a saying from the values of the house, 'Show kindness in all that you do'. No matter who you meet, ensure to be kind-hearted and compassionate towards them. From there is respect, it is important to learn how to adapt to new situations. By way of respect, we are able to find common ground. Although you may not agree with some opinions/perspectives, you should acknowledge those who shared and reply in a respectful manner. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. The third is unity, in the words of Kīngi Tāwhiao, 'If there is but one reed it will break, but if it is bunched together it will not'. In correlation to these words is a proverb from this competition, 'In unity, there is strength'. This is my final value, I truly believe these are a gift to diversity and would provide strength in growth. Question two: If the principle of embracing our shared humanity was universally acknowledged, what changes would we observe in the behaviour and practices of our institutions, communities, and government? Due to the events that are occurring in New Zealand at the moment, my answer lies with the government. Our so-called 'leaders' of the country would rather step on the prestige of the Treaty of Waitangi instead of finding homes for our people living on the streets. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. This is wrong, they do not hold honourable values. If the system were to change, we would see people smiling once more. We would see the Māori names on the signs of our institutions. We would see the unity in our communities. And we would see the culture of our country flourishing. My wish for the future would be for my children and grandchildren to speak the Māori language freely. With no thought of being afraid or ashamed of their language, their customs, and of their culture. These words are fuelled with great power. I dream of a world where everyone is accepted, and if this is our future, then I believe the well-being of our people would thrive. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 'Governor, you are just a visitor to me.' But, you will never remove my powerful Māori selfidentity/sovereignty. I will never fall to the systems of non-Māori, and for that reason, I deliver my speech in the language of my ancestors. Here I am the face of my ancestors, here to shake the ground. The Great Ocean of Diversity, whether you are a fish or a shark, stand tall and proud of who you are in everything you do. Te Reo: Tēnā tātou e te whare Ko Maya Blackman tōku ingoa He uri tēnei nō Ngāti Maniapoto me Raukawa ki Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere Otirā ki te nōtā he uri nō Ngāti Wai me Ngā Puhi nui tonu Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Te Moana nui o te Kanorau, koinei te kaupapa matua o tō mātou nei kōrero. Ka kitea e koutou i ngā rerekētanga o te tangata i ngā wāhi puta noa. Ehara i te mea ko te kanorau tētahi mea e whātuturi atu ana. E rere ana mai te hītori o tō mātou motu ki ngā rā onaianei. Ki au nei, kaore te kanorau kua raungaiti. Ka kitea kei ngā hāhi, nga mātāwaka, i ngā momo puoro anō hoki. Engari, me pēwhea e whakahiapo ana i te whakaaro o te kanorau koinā te take matua. Ko te whakaaetanga te timatanga anahe, mai tērā me whakawhānuitia tō mātauranga, ā, ka kitea e koe i raro i te karetai. Ko te pātai tuatahi: He aha ngā āhuatanga whaiaro, ngā waiaro, ngā uara, ā, ngā whakaaro me whakawhanake kia pai ake ai te whai wāhi ki Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau? He tino whakahī Māori au o tōku whakapapa koinā te take ka kitea e au ki ōku tūpuna. I mau rātou te mana, i tohatoha rātou te whakapono, me te manaaki i whakaatu ai. Ki ōku nei whakaaro, e toru ngā mātāpono e awhi ana i te whakawhanaketanga i Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau. Ko Manaakitanga te mea tuatahi. I roto au i Te Akoranga Reo Rua kei toku kura. Anei te kōrero nā ngā mātāpono o te whare 'Me manaaki tētahi ki tētahi i roto i ngā mahi katoa'. Ahakoa ko wai ka tūtaki koe me whakaatu i te mākoha me te tauwhirotanga ki a rātou. Whai muri i tēnā ko te Whakapono, he mea nui ki te ako me pēwhea ka whakarite koe ki ngā pūāhua hou. Mā te whakapono, ka taea e tātou ki te kimi i te kaupapa kotahi. Ahakoa kaore mātou i whakaae ki ētahi whakaaro ka taea e tātou ki te whakamihi ki a rātou me ka whakautu i roto i tētahi āhuatanga ngāwari. Tuatoru ko te kotahitanga, e ai ki taku Kīngi Tāwhiao 'Ki te kotahi te kākaho ka whati ki te kāpuia e kore e whati'. E hāngai ana ki tēnei kōrero ko te whakataukī o tēnei whakataetae 'Mā te kotahitanga e whai kaha ai tātau'. Koinei taku mātāpono whakamutunga, e whakapono ana au he tākoha nui ki te kanorau e ngaruru ai. Ko te pātai tuarua: Mēnā ka mohio whānuitia te mātāpono o te awhi i tō tātau tangata tahi, he aha ngā rerekētanga ka kitea e mātou i roto i ngā whanonga me ngā mahi o ā mātou whakahaere, hapori, me te kāwanatanga? Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Ko ngā kaupapa e haere ana kei Aotearoa i tenei wā, ko taku whakautu matua ki tenei pātai me aro ki te kāwanatanga. He pai kē atu o tātou kaiārahi o te motu ki te takahi i te mana o Te Tiriti o Waitangi i te kimi kāinga mo o tātou tāngata e noho ana i ngā tiriti. Kei te hē tēnei a kaore rātou i mau nga mātāpono honore. Menā ka panoni te punaha, ka kitea e mātou i ngā tāngata e menemene ana. Ka tirohia e mātou i ngā ingoa Māori o runga i ngā tohu o ngā whakahaere. Ka tirohia e mātou i te kotahitanga o tō mātou hapori. Me ka tirohia e mātou i te ahurea o te motu e whakapuāwai ana. Ko tōku wawata mō te anamata, ka kōrero ōku tamariki mokopuna i roto i te Reo Māori. Ehara i te mea e whakamā ana i ō rātou reo, ō rātou tikanga, me ō rātou ahurea. I te rangi tonu nei kua mana aku kupu. E pīrangi ana au mō tētahi ao e whakaae ana i ngā tāngata katoa. Mēnā ko tēnei te anamata, e pai ake ai te oranga o tō tātou iwi. Kāwana ka whakamanuwhiritia koe e au. Engari, kaore koe i tangohia i taku mana Māori motuhake. E kore au e pore ana i ngā āhuatanga Pākehā, nā kona, e kōrero ana au i roto i te reo ā kui mā, ā koro mā. Anei au te kanohi o ōku tupuna e rū ana te whenua. Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau, ahakoa he ika koe, he ururoa ranei. Me tū hei rangatira i roto i ngā mahi katoa.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Student's Rallying Call For Unity: ‘I'm Tired Of Discrimination'
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter The teenage winner of the Race Unity Speech Awards has used her platform to lay down a challenge to those in power. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Jordyn Joy Pillay, a Year 12 student at Ormiston Senior College in Auckland, won the title of national champion and the Tohu Whetumatarau – Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision. The finals were hosted by Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at Manukau Institute of Technology's Ōtara campus. Pillay was chosen as the winner over the weekend after competing with six female finalists. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Rather than settling for cultural weeks and symbolic gestures, Pillay called for student voice panels in schools, co-designed curriculums that reflect Aotearoa's true diversity, and spaces where young people feel safe and heard. 'I am so sick and tired of the same discrimination that forced me, a new migrant just two years ago, to spend my lunchtime in the school toilet just to avoid the hateful comments.' Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Clare Akhmad served as master of ceremonies, guiding the audience through a morning of bold, solutions-driven speeches by rangatahi. Akhmad said the rangatahi had not simply delivered performances, but presented a roadmap for decision-makers. 'And what I saw was that the messages of the rangatahi, they really were resonating and so now I really hope that they are taken forward in real action,' she said. 'Too often our mokopuna don't have a say in the decisions that affect their daily lives,' she added. 'Local councils, schools and government agencies need to be creating pathways for youth to participate, even before they are eligible to vote.' She said platforms like the Race Unity Speech Awards help build that bridge. But the responsibility now sits with those in positions of power. Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell, Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Darby, NZ Police Deputy Chief Executive Jill Rogers and Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo were among those present. Dr Darby said race unity helped to strengthen democracy. 'The broader the voices, the more diverse, and I guess the more opportunities we give and ensure that people have to have their voices heard, the better it is for all of us.' Her comments echoed Pillay's message, that it was time to stop treating inclusion as a campaign and start treating it as everyday governance. Jessica Tupai, last year's Race Unity champion and now Youth MP for Wellington Central, said the competition helped her build the confidence to engage with government. However, many of her peers are still being left out. 'It's not that we don't care about politics. It's often that no one explains it in a way we can understand or access,' she said. 'Go to the schools. Talk with us, not at us.' She said Pacific and Māori youth are often burdened with leadership responsibilities within their own communities but are still overlooked in formal civic spaces. 'We are orators. We are storytellers. Sharing our voice is how we give back.' Minister Mark Mitchell also acknowledged the critiques and said the government was listening. 'Words are easy, but actions matter,' Mitchell said. He acknowledged the powerful ideas shared by finalists, including pitches for virtual reality education and more culturally inclusive teaching, and said they deserved serious consideration. Pillay ended her speech with a call for unity, not just in principle but in practice. 'I am the ocean. I am us. We are the ocean. Together we mean much. For my strength is not that of an individual, but rather that of the collective.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Student's Rallying Call For Unity: ‘I'm Tired Of Discrimination'
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter Rather than settling for cultural weeks and symbolic gestures, Pillay called for student voice panels in schools, co-designed curriculums that reflect Aotearoas true diversity, and spaces where young people feel safe and heard. The teenage winner of the Race Unity Speech Awards has used her platform to lay down a challenge to those in power. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Jordyn Joy Pillay, a Year 12 student at Ormiston Senior College in Auckland, won the title of national champion and the Tohu Whetumatarau – Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision. The finals were hosted by Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at Manukau Institute of Technology's Ōtara campus. Pillay was chosen as the winner over the weekend after competing with six female finalists. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Rather than settling for cultural weeks and symbolic gestures, Pillay called for student voice panels in schools, co-designed curriculums that reflect Aotearoa's true diversity, and spaces where young people feel safe and heard. 'I am so sick and tired of the same discrimination that forced me, a new migrant just two years ago, to spend my lunchtime in the school toilet just to avoid the hateful comments.' Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Clare Akhmad served as master of ceremonies, guiding the audience through a morning of bold, solutions-driven speeches by rangatahi. Akhmad said the rangatahi had not simply delivered performances, but presented a roadmap for decision-makers. 'And what I saw was that the messages of the rangatahi, they really were resonating and so now I really hope that they are taken forward in real action,' she said. 'Too often our mokopuna don't have a say in the decisions that affect their daily lives,' she added. 'Local councils, schools and government agencies need to be creating pathways for youth to participate, even before they are eligible to vote.' She said platforms like the Race Unity Speech Awards help build that bridge. But the responsibility now sits with those in positions of power. Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell, Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Darby, NZ Police Deputy Chief Executive Jill Rogers and Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo were among those present. Dr Darby said race unity helped to strengthen democracy. 'The broader the voices, the more diverse, and I guess the more opportunities we give and ensure that people have to have their voices heard, the better it is for all of us.' Her comments echoed Pillay's message, that it was time to stop treating inclusion as a campaign and start treating it as everyday governance. Jessica Tupai, last year's Race Unity champion and now Youth MP for Wellington Central, said the competition helped her build the confidence to engage with government. However, many of her peers are still being left out. 'It's not that we don't care about politics. It's often that no one explains it in a way we can understand or access,' she said. 'Go to the schools. Talk with us, not at us.' She said Pacific and Māori youth are often burdened with leadership responsibilities within their own communities but are still overlooked in formal civic spaces. 'We are orators. We are storytellers. Sharing our voice is how we give back.' Minister Mark Mitchell also acknowledged the critiques and said the government was listening. 'Words are easy, but actions matter,' Mitchell said. He acknowledged the powerful ideas shared by finalists, including pitches for virtual reality education and more culturally inclusive teaching, and said they deserved serious consideration. Pillay ended her speech with a call for unity, not just in principle but in practice. 'I am the ocean. I am us. We are the ocean. Together we mean much. For my strength is not that of an individual, but rather that of the collective.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Student's Rallying Call For Unity: ‘I'm Tired Of Discrimination'
The teenage winner of the Race Unity Speech Awards has used her platform to lay down a challenge to those in power. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Jordyn Joy Pillay, a Year 12 student at Ormiston Senior College in Auckland, won the title of national champion and the Tohu Whetumatarau – Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision. The finals were hosted by Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at Manukau Institute of Technology's Ōtara campus. Pillay was chosen as the winner over the weekend after competing with six female finalists. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Rather than settling for cultural weeks and symbolic gestures, Pillay called for student voice panels in schools, co-designed curriculums that reflect Aotearoa's true diversity, and spaces where young people feel safe and heard. 'I am so sick and tired of the same discrimination that forced me, a new migrant just two years ago, to spend my lunchtime in the school toilet just to avoid the hateful comments.' Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Clare Akhmad served as master of ceremonies, guiding the audience through a morning of bold, solutions-driven speeches by rangatahi. Akhmad said the rangatahi had not simply delivered performances, but presented a roadmap for decision-makers. 'And what I saw was that the messages of the rangatahi, they really were resonating and so now I really hope that they are taken forward in real action,' she said. 'Too often our mokopuna don't have a say in the decisions that affect their daily lives,' she added. 'Local councils, schools and government agencies need to be creating pathways for youth to participate, even before they are eligible to vote.' She said platforms like the Race Unity Speech Awards help build that bridge. But the responsibility now sits with those in positions of power. Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell, Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Darby, NZ Police Deputy Chief Executive Jill Rogers and Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo were among those present. Dr Darby said race unity helped to strengthen democracy. "The broader the voices, the more diverse, and I guess the more opportunities we give and ensure that people have to have their voices heard, the better it is for all of us." Her comments echoed Pillay's message, that it was time to stop treating inclusion as a campaign and start treating it as everyday governance. Jessica Tupai, last year's Race Unity champion and now Youth MP for Wellington Central, said the competition helped her build the confidence to engage with government. However, many of her peers are still being left out. 'It's not that we don't care about politics. It's often that no one explains it in a way we can understand or access,' she said. 'Go to the schools. Talk with us, not at us.' She said Pacific and Māori youth are often burdened with leadership responsibilities within their own communities but are still overlooked in formal civic spaces. 'We are orators. We are storytellers. Sharing our voice is how we give back.' Minister Mark Mitchell also acknowledged the critiques and said the government was listening. 'Words are easy, but actions matter,' Mitchell said. He acknowledged the powerful ideas shared by finalists, including pitches for virtual reality education and more culturally inclusive teaching, and said they deserved serious consideration. Pillay ended her speech with a call for unity, not just in principle but in practice. 'I am the ocean. I am us. We are the ocean. Together we mean much. For my strength is not that of an individual, but rather that of the collective.'
