NATIONAL FINAL FOR 2020

Congratulations to all the students who entered the Race Unity Speech Awards this year, to our regional champions, our national semi-finalists and lastly our 6 national finalists.

This year there were 22 national semi-finalists, drawn from 13 regions around the country. They participated in 3 national semi-finals, with two students from each going through to the national final on Sunday 17 May. The national semi-finals and national final were livestreamed and can be viewed on YouTube www.youtube.com/RaceUnity and Facebook Live www.facebook.com/raceunityaotearoa/live_videos

The 6 national finalists are listed here in order of speaking:

National Final - 10AM Sunday 17 May

RACE UNITY SPEECH AWARDS

The national finalists will be speaking for these 7 awards

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

For the overall winner of the 2020 Race Unity Speech Awards.

Prize: $2000 – $1000 for the speaker, $1000 for their school

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

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.

Prize: $500

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

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.

Prize: $500

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.

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.

Prize: $500

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

Tohu Whetumatarau – Office of 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.

Prize: $500

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

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.

Prize: $500

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

Tohu Auahatanga – Speech NZ Award for Delivery

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

Prize: $500

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

NATIONAL FINAL JUDGING PANEL

The 5 members of the judging panel are:

Chief Judge, Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha, NZ Police

Meng Foon, Race Relations Commissioner, Human Rights Commission

Huti Watson, Bahá'í Community

Lil Anderson, CE of Te Arawhiti

Edwina Pio, Professor of Diversity at AUT