Te Taura Tangata - The Rope of Unity: Highlights from the Race Unity Speech Awards 2024

On the weekend of 4-5 May, seven secondary students from across Aotearoa delivered poignant and powerful speeches at the Race Unity Speech Awards national finals in Auckland. Addressing the theme ‘The Rope of Unity – Te Taura Tangata,’ these Year 11 to 13 students shared personal stories and innovative solutions to help New Zealand move towards becoming a racist-free country.

The 7 finalists of the Race Unity Speech awards 2024

Held at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at the Manukau Institute of Technology in Otara, the event saw Jessica Tupa’i, a Year 12 student from St Mary’s College in Wellington, crowned as the National Champion for 2024. Jessica's impactful speech and heartfelt plea for a racism-free Aotearoa earned her the Tohu Raukura ā-Motu – New Zealand Police National Champion’s Award, the Tohu Auahatanga - Speech NZ Award for Delivery, and the Tohu Māramatanga - Bahá’í Community Award for Insight.

Race Unity Speech Awards National Champion, Jessica Tupa’i with representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand, Suzanne Mahon, Audrey Aumua and Nick Moss.

New Zealand Police Deputy Chief Executive Iwi & Communities, Pieri Munro, praised the young orators, highlighting their crucial role in nation-building. “We had seven beautiful orators from our whakatipuranga – our next generation… I want to acknowledge their tenacity and the key messages that they’re delivering, not just to this audience, not just to ministers, but to the whole country,” Munro remarked.

Jessica Tupa’i's memorable speech and captivating delivery left a significant impression on the audience. Meredith Caisley, former Trustee of Speech NZ, in presenting the award for Delivery on behalf of Speech NZ, commended Jessica’s message and delivery as both memorable and captivating. Dr. Audrey Aumua, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand who served as one of the judges, in presenting Jessica with the Bahá’í Community Award for Insight, emphasised Jessica's important challenge to Aotearoa in her speech.

Leo Mwape, a Year 13 student from Palmerston North Boys’ High School, received the Tohu Eke Panuku - Human Rights Commission Award for Impact. His speech stood out for providing practical suggestions to end racism and improve race relations. Human Rights Commission lead advisor Kat Eghdamian noted, “Leo spoke about the relationships that we build; they need to go beyond agreement… building relationships of love and of deep connection.”

Other award recipients included Tanyn Wood, a Year 12 student from St Peter’s School in Cambridge, who received the Tohu Aumangea - Hedi Moani Memorial Award for Advocacy. Kerry-Ann Stevenson, representing the Hedi Moani Charitable Trust, praised the inspiration and solutions proposed by the rangatahi.

Caleb Jenkins, a Year 12 student from Auckland’s Selwyn College, was honoured with the Tohu Ahurea Rau – Multicultural NZ Award for Diversity for fostering empathy and understanding of Aotearoa's diverse cultural landscape. Tanya Moeono, a Year 13 student from Otago Girls’ High School in Dunedin, received the Tohu Whetumatarau - Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision, sharing a vision of a future Aotearoa free of racial discrimination.

Ansh Dhot, a Year 13 student from Tauranga Girls’ College, was awarded the Tohu Manaakitanga - Manukau Institute of Technology Award for Manaakitanga, demonstrating compassion and empathy in overcoming prejudice. Rewi Te Kani-Nankivell Jr., a Year 11 student from Campion College in Te Tai Rāwhiti, received the Tohu Manukura i te Reo - Māori Language Commission Award for te Reo Māori, eloquently incorporating te reo Māori into his speech.

Finalists outside the venue for the National Finals event - Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at the Manukau Institute of Technology

The Race Unity Speech Awards are organised by the New Zealand Bahá’í Community, were established nearly a quarter of a century ago, and have been held annually since then, in recent years in conjunction with a national hui for youth to explore together matters of race unity. “In a world that often feels more divided every day, it’s essential that we listen to the voices of our rangatahi as they share their views, ideas and insights about one of the most divisive issues of all – race relations,” said Bev Watson, who has been a key organiser from the inception of the Awards.

The event, supported by several organisations including the New Zealand Police and the Human Rights Commission, as well as Manukau Institute of Technology, continues to be a significant platform for young voices advocating for unity and understanding in Aotearoa.

Video footage from the event can be viewed on the Race Unity YouTube channel - RaceUnity YouTube.