28-05-2025
Finding the right balance in mind, body and spirit
Otago Boys' High School student Gus Attenborough delivers an impassioned speech about racist micro-aggressions at the Ōtākou and Murihiku Ngā Manu Kōrero regional speech competition in the Dunedin Town Hall yesterday. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN
Strength, fitness and delivering big tackles are all secondary to having a balanced mindset, a young rugby player told a packed Dunedin Town Hall during a Maori speech competition.
Mount Aspiring College student Ryan Tuki Enoka, 17, took part in the Pei Te Hurinui Jones senior Maori contest at the Ōtākou and Murihiku Ngā Manu Kōrero regional speech competition yesterday.
He said he wanted take part in the competition to push the kaupapa (purpose) of his speech rather than to win.
Ryan felt it was important to have Maori representation and influence in all areas of sport because it was beneficial for the athletes.
His approach to playing rugby changed when he trialled for the New Zealand Maori under-18 team.
''Their main focus is on your wairua [spirit or soul] and how you are as a person more than focusing on you as an athlete.
''When I started [playing] it was all about how strong I am, how fit I am and how big my tackles are.
''But as I spent time in that space, I kind of learnt there's more to being a good athlete than just being the best on the physical side.''
He found that if his wairua was balanced and he was in a good space mentally, his performance was better on the field.
''I find my performances are more consistent when I'm looking after myself, not just physically but mentally too.
''I love it, I find more enjoyment in it and it makes me connect more with people I play sport with, which to me is now so important.''
Ryan always wanted to take part in the competition to honour his culture and whanau.
He did not speak te reo Maori growing up in Wanaka - a ''pretty Pakeha'' town.
He had spent the past two years becoming proficient in speaking the language and growing a deeper understanding of his culture.
''I'm loving [the journey],'' he said.
''It connects me with so many awesome people, whether it's through Māori sport or Māori competitions like this.''
About 40 speakers from 23 schools across Otago and Southland were taking part in the competition.
Ngā Manu Kōrero organiser Cherie Ford said she had been organising the competition for about 20 years and the level of presentation and messages being conveyed improved every year.
There were a record number of entries across the event, particularly in the te reo Maori section.
She said seeing students such as Ryan on their te reo journey was inspiring to the adults present at the event as well.
The competition will conclude today with the junior speeches.
