Media Advisory – 29.04.2026
Through Listening Comes Change: Race Unity Speech Awards 2026
The 2026 Race Unity Speech Awards finals are an opportunity for rangatahi from Northland to Otago to come together to share their views on race relations and social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand, and to identify everyday opportunities for meaningful change.
Twenty-one regional representatives from Year 11-13 will discuss a future where unity provides the way forward rather than division, where connection and cooperation build peace, and where embracing difference and diversity is seen as a strength - because every voice matters.
This year’s theme - ‘Listening to Understand - Whakarongo kia Mārama’, focuses on creating an environment of respect and trust across diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Media are invited to attend the finals (interviews can be arranged):
When:
Saturday 9 May - National Semi-Finals
3:30pm to 4:30pm - Mihi whakatau and kaputī
4:30pm to 6pm - Whaikōrero - National Semi-finals
Sunday 10 May - National Final (six finalists)
10am - Mihi whakatau
10:30am-12.00pm - Whaikōrero - National Finals
1.00pm - 2.00pm - Awards ceremony
Where:
Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, Manakau Insititute of Technology
Gate 12, 53 Ōtara Rd, Ōtara, Auckland
Nazreen Shaban, from the Ministry of Education - a judge at the Auckland regional heats - commented that the passion, courage, and forward thinking perspectives shared by the young speakers was genuinely inspiring.
“Each speech reflected a strong commitment to unity, equity, and meaningful change, and it was powerful to see rangatahi so confidently articulating their lived experiences and hopes for the future. One quote that particularly inspired me came from one of the speakers: “Prejudice struggles to survive when people become friends.” This simple yet powerful message perfectly captured the spirit of the competition and underscored the transformative impact of connection, understanding, and empathy,” she said.
The awards weekend is an opportunity for the media, invited guests (including Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Derby - a judge for the final, and Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad - MC for the final), MPs, and the public to hear twenty-one inspiring future leaders speak up about how the act of genuine listening can improve social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand.
About the Awards
In Aotearoa, New Zealand, after a series of racially motivated attacks in 1997, the Baha’I community and then Race Relations Office organised a Unity in Diversity Rally. This led to the creation of Race Unity Day in 1999, now known as Race Relations Day. The Race Unity Speech Awards are held in support of Race Relations Day and have been run by the Baha’I community for twenty-six years.
The Baha’is in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the future of society and of the nature and purpose of life.
The Hui and Speech Awards are organised by the New Zealand Baha’i Community and are sponsored and supported by the New Zealand Police, Multicultural New Zealand, the Human Rights Commission, Mana Mokopuna - Children’s Commissioner, Manukau Institute of Technology, the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Speech New Zealand, the Hedi Moani Charitable Trust, the NZ National Commission for UNESCO, and Studio Marque.
Race Unity Awards by the numbers
3,000+
Students have participated in the Speech Awards since 2001.
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40,000+
People have listened to the speeches in person.
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2 million+
Views of the speeches online.
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1,000+
Police officers, academics, government officials and other people of influence have served as judges of the Speech Awards.
Social
Media contacts
National Media Co-ordinator
Jude Walcott
jude.walcott2024@gmail.com
027 474 1016