2025
Awards

 

Tohu Raukura ā-Motu – NZ Police National Champion’s Award

For the overall winner of the 2024 Race Unity Speech Awards.

Raukura: feather plume, treasure. Recognising leadership, talent & achievement ā-Motu: national

Jordyn Joy Pillay

★

Jordyn Joy Pillay ★

Ormiston Senior College, Auckland

 

Tohu Māramatanga – Baha’i Community Award for Insight

For a speaker who provides deep insights into how we can bring about the oneness of humanity in Aotearoa.

Māramatanga: enlightenment, insight, understanding, light, meaning, significance, brainwave

Estella Hepburn-Van Zyl

★

Estella Hepburn-Van Zyl ★

Gisborne Girls’ High School, Gisborne

 

Tohu Aumangea – Hedi Moani Memorial Award for Advocacy

For a speaker who shows us how to stand up for our rights and the rights of others.

Aumangea: advocate, campaigner, champion, promoter, proponent, upholder, supporter

Maya Blackman

★

Maya Blackman ★

Western Heights High School, Rotorua

 

Tohu Manaakitanga – the Manukau Institute of Technology Award for Manaakitanga

For a speaker who demonstrates manaakitanga through ngakau (compassion) and aroha (empathy) in overcoming prejudice and building bonds of kotahitanga (unity).

Manaakitanga: a broad Māori concept about the process of showing respect, generosity and caring for people.

Tanyn Wood

★

Tanyn Wood ★

Mt Aspiring College, Wanaka

 

Tohu Manukura i te Reo – Māori Language Commission Award for te Reo Māori

For the speaker who uses te reo Māori most eloquently and effectively in their speech.

Manukura: person held in high esteem, leader in council, leader.

Maia Moss

★

Maia Moss ★

Manukura School, Palmerston North

 

Tohu Eke Panuku – Human Rights Commission Award for Impact

For a speaker providing an effective practical suggestion for ending racism and improving race relations in Aotearoa.

Eke panuku: to hit home, win, gain victory, successfully overcome, to succeed, achieve, can be related to working through issues to achieve the appropriate solution.

Maia Moss

★

Maia Moss ★

Manukura School, Palmerston North

 

Tohu Ahurea Rau – Multicultural NZ Award for Diversity

For a speaker who fosters empathy and understanding of the cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity of Aotearoa. 

Rau: hundreds or many. Ahurea: culture – carries connotations of coming together.

Zara Oliyath

★

Zara Oliyath ★

Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland

 

Tohu Whetumatarau – Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision

For a speaker who helps us envision Aotearoa’s future as a multicultural society founded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Whetumatarau: many-pointed star – carries connotations of being aspirational for the future, doing or achieving great things.

Jordyn Joy Pillay

★

Jordyn Joy Pillay ★

Ormiston Senior College, Auckland

 

Tohu Auahatanga – Speech NZ Award for Delivery

For a speaker whose creative and engaging delivery captures the audience’s attention.

Auaha: Creativity, to shape, create, form, fashion, innovate

Zara Oliyath

★

Zara Oliyath ★

Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland