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2025
A young speech maker has highlighted how people’s differences can bring people together.
A powerful speech about overcoming racism has won Gisborne Girls’ High School student Estella Hepburn-Van Zyl the regional heat of the Race Unity Speech Awards.
Northland rangatahi will have their say on race relations when the Race Unity Speech Awards regional final is held this weekend.
More than 150 students from Northland to Southland will share their perspectives on issues of race relations in Aotearoa at the regional heats of the annual Race Unity Speech Awards from Thursday 20 March through to Thursday 27 March.
2024
Jessica Tupa’I is the winner of the 2024 Race Unity Speech Awards, a national competition organised by the New Zealand Baha’I Community.
The words of a Rangitāne rangatira rang out across the crowd as Palmerston North Boys’ High School Race Unity Speech Awards finalist Leo Mwape shared his kōrero for how Aotearoa can unite.
The winner of the New Zealand 2024 Race Unity Speech Awards is Jessica Tupai, year 12, from St Mary’s College, Wellington.
Jessica's speech highlighted the value of social cohesion and community collaboration.
Rangatahi across Taranaki have spoken up against racism as part of an annual speech competition.
Calls for unity and practical ideas on how to challenge and end racism were heard all late last month as senior high school students participated in the annual Race Unity Speech Awards.
2023
South Asian high school students are increasingly standing up to champion better race relations in New Zealand, if the recent Race Unity Speech Awards are anything to go by.
The Year 13 student from Auckland’s Selwyn College was one of six finalists who poured their hearts out on the issue of racism and discrimination in Aotearoa.
"There are many race-related issues New Zealand still needs to address and the Race Unity Speeches are one small part of that journey we need to be undertaking" - Māori cultural advocate Aperahama Hurihanganui.
2022
For the first time in Race Unity Speech Awards, two people have been named joint national champions.
A Kerikeri High School student has been crowned the joint national winner of the Race Unity Speech Awards.
For the first time in the Race Unity Speech Awards history, two young speakers have been named joint national champions.
For the first time in 22 years, two speakers have been named joint national champions in the annual Race Unity Speech Awards.
Chief judge NZ Police Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha says it was impossible to choose a single national champion.
2019
For nearly two decades, New Zealand’s Baha’is have been promoting a discourse on race unity through an annual process that brings together high school students from across the country.