Latest news with #SpeechAwards
Scoop
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Police Acknowledge Race Unity Speech Awards Winner
Press Release – New Zealand Police The winner of the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards is Jordyn Joy Pillay, from Ormiston Senior College, Auckland. Jordyn's speech highlighted that diversity must be more than a moment – it must be a movement. 'I am the ocean I cannot be read I am calm and soothing and so accepting. Come to me …I'll bring you peace. I see no difference. I'm home to fins and feathers, skin and scales …home to many, I freely give. I welcome you warmly. Abide in me.' The awards were held at the Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, Manukau Institute of Technology Ōtara Campus over the weekend and featured students from several schools across New Zealand. This year's theme – 'Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau – The Great Ocean of Diversity' – highlights our need for the natural harmony that we see in the outdoors to be replicated in our society. The metaphor also talks to our strength being in our differences. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is delighted to be the first Commissioner to attend the awards. 'Supporting initiatives like this represents our commitment to building trust and confidence with the diverse communities we serve,' Commissioner Chambers says. 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 over the weekend,' she says. 'As Police, we are proud to be supporting a platform for our young people to voice their aspirations and solutions.' Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo MNZM – National Partnerships Manager Ethnic, acknowledged the history of the award the partnership. 'As Iwi and Community Partnerships, we are honoured to have been supporters of these awards for nearly two decades. These awards offer us a meaningful platform to be highly visible amongst our youth and positively engage with them on issues that are important to them and their communities. Each year, we are inspired by the voices of our young people – who are leading us now and into the future,' he says. About the Awards The Race Unity Speech Awards were established by the New Zealand Bahá'í Community in memory of race relations advocate and Bahá'í Faith member Hedi Moani. Organised by the New Zealand Bahá'í Community, a religious community dedicated to promoting the oneness of humanity at various levels, the Speech Awards is supported by the New Zealand Police, the Human Rights Commission, Foundation North, Manukau Institute of Technology, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Speech New Zealand, Hedi Moani Charitable Trust, and Studio Marque.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Students Unite As One – Speaking Up For Unity In Aotearoa – Race Unity Speech Awards And Hui 2025
Press Release – Race Unity Speech Awards A future where racism has been eliminated, division is challenged and unity embraced is the strong message weaving through all the speeches to be presented at the Race Unity Speech Awards on May 3-4 in Auckland. Rangatahi from more than fifteen different backgrounds and ethnicities will be representing fourteen regions from around the motu. 'Preparing for the Race Unity Speech Awards has taught me that my voice has power. I've learnt to channel personal experiences into advocacy and discovered confidence in sharing my identity and values. This process has deepened my understanding of unity, representation, and the need for inclusive spaces. It's been empowering and meaningful, especially being part of a community that uplifts diverse voices.' – Aiza Mustasam, Tauranga Girls' College (2025 Regional Champion) Twenty one regional representatives ranging from Years 11 to 13 (ages around 15-18) will come together for the Speech Awards semi-finals, final and a hui at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, Manukau Institute of Technology, Ōtara Campus. Mana Mokopuna Te Kaikōmihana Matua, Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad will be the MC for the final. 'We are looking forward to supporting mokopuna at the semi-fnals and final in early May, as the finalists share their whakaaro about how we can become more just and unified as a society.' When: Saturday, 3 May 2025 › 10am – Powhiri › 11am – National Semi-Finals & Hui Sunday, 4 May 2025 – National Final & Awards Ceremony › 10am – Mihi whakatu › 10:30am – Whaikōrero – National Final › 11:55am – Minister Mitchell thanks speakers › 1:00pm – Presentation of Awards Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Students Unite As One – Speaking Up For Unity In Aotearoa – Race Unity Speech Awards And Hui 2025
Press Release – Race Unity Speech Awards Twenty one regional representatives ranging from Years 11 to 13 (ages around 15-18) will come together for the Speech Awards semi-finals, final and a hui at Ng Kete Wnanga Marae, Manukau Institute of Technology, tara Campus. A future where racism has been eliminated, division is challenged and unity embraced is the strong message weaving through all the speeches to be presented at the Race Unity Speech Awards on May 3-4 in Auckland. Rangatahi from more than fifteen different backgrounds and ethnicities will be representing fourteen regions from around the motu. 'Preparing for the Race Unity Speech Awards has taught me that my voice has power. I've learnt to channel personal experiences into advocacy and discovered confidence in sharing my identity and values. This process has deepened my understanding of unity, representation, and the need for inclusive spaces. It's been empowering and meaningful, especially being part of a community that uplifts diverse voices.' – Aiza Mustasam, Tauranga Girls' College (2025 Regional Champion) Twenty one regional representatives ranging from Years 11 to 13 (ages around 15-18) will come together for the Speech Awards semi-finals, final and a hui at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, Manukau Institute of Technology, Ōtara Campus. Mana Mokopuna Te Kaikōmihana Matua, Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad will be the MC for the final. 'We are looking forward to supporting mokopuna at the semi-fnals and final in early May, as the finalists share their whakaaro about how we can become more just and unified as a society.' When: Saturday, 3 May 2025 › 10am – Powhiri › 11am – National Semi-Finals & Hui Sunday, 4 May 2025 – National Final & Awards Ceremony › 10am – Mihi whakatu › 10:30am – Whaikōrero – National Final › 11:55am – Minister Mitchell thanks speakers › 1:00pm – Presentation of Awards
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Students Unite As One - Speaking Up For Unity In Aotearoa - Race Unity Speech Awards And Hui 2025
A future where racism has been eliminated, division is challenged and unity embraced is the strong message weaving through all the speeches to be presented at the Race Unity Speech Awards on May 3-4 in Auckland. Rangatahi from more than fifteen different backgrounds and ethnicities will be representing fourteen regions from around the motu. 'Preparing for the Race Unity Speech Awards has taught me that my voice has power. I've learnt to channel personal experiences into advocacy and discovered confidence in sharing my identity and values. This process has deepened my understanding of unity, representation, and the need for inclusive spaces. It's been empowering and meaningful, especially being part of a community that uplifts diverse voices.' - Aiza Mustasam, Tauranga Girls' College (2025 Regional Champion) Twenty one regional representatives ranging from Years 11 to 13 (ages around 15-18) will come together for the Speech Awards semi-finals, final and a hui at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, Manukau Institute of Technology, Ōtara Campus. Mana Mokopuna Te Kaikōmihana Matua, Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad will be the MC for the final. 'We are looking forward to supporting mokopuna at the semi-fnals and final in early May, as the finalists share their whakaaro about how we can become more just and unified as a society.' When: Saturday, 3 May 2025 › 10am - Powhiri › 11am - National Semi-Finals & Hui Sunday, 4 May 2025 - National Final & Awards Ceremony › 10am - Mihi whakatu › 10:30am - Whaikōrero - National Final › 11:55am - Minister Mitchell thanks speakers › 1:00pm - Presentation of Awards
