Speech Awards 2025 National Champion - Jordyn Joy Pillay - Attends the Race Relations Breakfast 2026 at Parliament
From left to right: Dr Claire Achmad, Children’s Commissioner (Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commission); Jordyn Joy Pillay, 2025 National Champion, Race Unity Speech Awards (Ormiston Senior College); Dr Melissa Derby, Race Relations Commissioner (Te Kāhui Tika Tangata – Human Rights Commission); Stephen Rainbow, Chief Human Rights Commissioner (Te Kāhui Tika Tangata – Human Rights Commission); Rima Nakhle, MP for Takanini.
The Race Unity Speech Awards was proud to see 2025 National Champion Jordyn Joy Pillay attend the Race Relations Breakfast 2026 at Parliament, joining leaders, advocates, and partners from across Aotearoa for a morning of reflection, connection, and conversation.
Hosted as part of the national lead-up to Race Relations Day, the annual breakfast brings together organisations and individuals committed to advancing race relations, equity, and social cohesion in Aotearoa. This year’s kaupapa strongly reflected the 2026 Race Unity Speech Awards theme, Listen to Understand – Whakarongo kia mārama, reinforcing the importance of listening deeply as a foundation for unity.
Jordyn attended as one of the young voices in the room, representing the ongoing impact of the Speech Awards and the strength of rangatahi leadership in conversations around race relations.
“To ‘practice what I preach’ in Parliament. What an amazing experience attending the Race Relations Breakfast 2026. A day filled with culture, connection and conversation. It was an incredibly grounding and eye-opening experience.
As one of the young people present, I felt a deep sense of privilege to be part of a space to witness and partake in conversations around race relations and diversity on a national level. Connecting with the Race Relations Commissioner, Melissa Darby, alongside other ministers a part of Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission and hearing their vision for Race Relations Day 2026, around ‘Whakarongo Kia Marama’ made the experience even more significant.
But what stayed with me most was the reminder that youth voices are not just present, but they are prominent. It was a pleasure to have such meaningful conversations with so many inspiring leaders.
Being in that room strengthened my passion for race relations advocacy and affirmed the responsibility we carry, as young people, to continue challenging, listening, and contributing to more inclusive and understanding communities.
An opportunity of a lifetime, to show that Aotearoa is prioritising the presence and perspectives of youth, which I was so grateful to be a part of.”
— Jordyn Joy Pillay
Jordyn’s experience highlights the continued partnership and shared kaupapa between the Race Unity Speech Awards and organisations such as Te Kāhui Tika Tangata – Human Rights Commission and Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner, who play a vital role in championing youth voices and advocating for more inclusive communities across Aotearoa.
Moments like these reflect the wider impact of the Speech Awards — supporting young people not only to share their perspectives, but to actively contribute to national conversations on race unity.
As we move through the 2026 Speech Awards programme, we are proud to see our alumni continuing to lead, connect, and embody the values of listening to understand in spaces that matter.
