| 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, and for 25 and courage. 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.
We’ve developed a pack of resources to help teachers support students interested in the Race Unity Speech Awards and Hui. These resources can also be used for any class or group of students interested in exploring contemporary race relations issues.
The Speech Awards provide an opportunity for students to develop the key competencies outlined in the curriculum:
Thinking skills – learning to use creative, critical, and meta-cognitive processes to make sense of information, experiences and ideas.
Managing self – self-motivation, a “can-do” attitude, and with students seeing themselves as capable learners.
Relating to others – the ability to listen actively, recognise different points of view, negotiate, and share ideas.
Participating and contributing – developing the capacity to contribute appropriately as a group member, to make connections with others in the group.
The Race Unity Hui is also a great opportunity for students to learn about race relations issues. In past years a number of teachers have brought whole classes of students to the Hui, with great benefits for the students and the others attending the Hui.
Participation in the Speech Awards and Hui can be used as the basis for assessments and classroom activities in a range of subject areas, such as English, te reo Māori and Social Studies.
