| When The 2026 Speech Awards Regional Heats, for year 11 to 13 students, will take place between Monday 23rd and Saturday 28th March. |
We are wonderfully diverse, yet there is only one race: the human race. This is not just a biological fact. The wellbeing and progress of all parts of humanity are inextricably linked, like the fingers of one hand. Conflict holds back the progress of our species; cooperation and reciprocity are the true basis of human civilisation. Mutual support and cooperation is needed, not just among different groups of people, but between the individual, the community, and the institutions of society. In this vision of the human race, everyone has their own role to play in the eradication of racial prejudice and injustice, and the establishment of true unity.
For 25 years the Race Unity Speech Awards have opened the way for students to share their vision for race unity. So, what will you do to move the waka of humanity forward towards race unity?
The Hui in 2026 will be designed for the 21 National Semi-finalists. The primary objective of the Hui is engaging participants fully, so they leave the Hui with new insights, new friendships and new energy for their contribution to racial harmony in Aotearoa.
