60 Years Of Rangatahi Māori Oratory Excellence

Celebrating the diversity of rangatahi voices and the enduring power of oratory, Ngā Whakataetae mō Ngā Manu Kōrero is the arena in which some of the sharpest young minds take the stage to debate, persuade, and inspire.

The nation’s most prestigious Māori speech competition will be streamed live on MĀORI+ from Jubilee Stadium in Whanganui from 8.00AM Tuesday and Wednesday 16-17 September 2025, and the prizegiving ceremony on Thursday 18 September from 9.45AM.

Whakaata Māori Kaihautū Shane Taurima says Ngā Manu Kōrero is a taonga that continues to grow the Māori leaders of tomorrow.

“For 60 years, Ngā Manu Kōrero has shaped the voice of Māori leadership. It’s where rangatahi rise with courage and conviction, giving life to our stories, our language, and our future. Whakaata Māori is proud to carry those voices to the nation and the world, showcasing the brilliance of the next generation.”

Kaihāpai Dr Rawiri Tinirau says Whanganui is proud to be the hosts of the 60th anniversary of this prestigious event.

“Ngā Manu Kōrero has been nurturing our rangatahi since 1965, providing a platform to articulate their views, raise important issues, and reaffirm their cultural identity. The competition contributes significantly not just to the personal development of our rangatahi - but also to the revitalisation of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga for future generations,” says Dr Tinirau..

Whakaata Māori will also broadcast a one-hour highlights programme on Saturday 20 September at 6.30pm. Clips of all speeches will be available on MĀORI+ for on-demand viewing.

Follow @TukuCollective on Instagram and TikTok for updates during the event.

This year’s speech subjects are:

TE REO MĀORI

1. E whai hua au me takahi tikanga?

2. He mea hanga tōku whare e te whakaaro nui, he mea whakaū e te mātauranga!

3. Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou

4. Ka ora tonu tātou!

5. Ko te tinana te waka kawe i te wairua me te hinengaro - tiakina

6. (Mā te tauira tonu e kōwhiri i tāna ake kaupapa kōrero)

ENGLISH

1. Are tikanga tick boxes?

2. Talent is a flame; genius is a fire!

3. The last beacon of light that will never fade

4. Ngā Manu Kōrero in 2085

5. Help me find my place

6. (Students may determine their own topic)

The competition began in 1965 as the Korimako Speech Competition with the aim of encouraging Māori students to develop skills and fluency in the English language.

Today, the competition includes English and te reo Māori with students competing in four divisions:

Seniors (Years 11, 12 & 13)

1. Pei Te Hurinui Jones Contest (Reo Māori, one prepared speech, one impromptu)
2. Korimako Contest (English, one prepared speech, one impromptu)
   Juniors (Years 9 & 10)
3. Te Rāwhiti Ihaka Contest (Reo Māori, one speech)
4. Sir Turi Carroll Contest (English, one speech)

Past winners include Tawhirimatea Williams, Turanga Merito, Julian Wilcox, Dr Hinurewa Poutu, Ngatapa Black, Tamati Waaka, Raniera Blake and Sonny Maaka Ngatai.

© Scoop Media