Pupils share ‘passionate’ speeches

If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.

The old proverb was the theme for the senior category of the Otago Pacific Voices Speech Competition at Otago Boys’ High School yesterday.

Queen’s High School pupil Lani Laufita (18) gives a passionate speech during the Otago Pacific Voices Speech Competition at Otago Boys’ High School auditorium yesterday. PHOTOS: GREGOR RICHARDSON

Competition co-ordinator and Otago Girls’ High School deputy principal Kathryn Dick said there was also a junior category with the theme, it is important to protect our culture as it is the foundation of our identity.

She said it was wonderful to see more than 20 Pasifika pupils from Oamaru and Dunedin secondary schools come together to share "stunning" and "passionate" speeches about life for Pasifika people living in New Zealand.

Waitaki Boys’ High School pupil Villiami Ala (16) makes the most of his captive audience.

"They are absolutely wonderful young people, speaking from their heart about issues that they’re really passionate about ...

"They’re really celebrating their culture.

"They’re celebrating what it means to be them, and acknowledging where they’ve come from and the work that their parents have done — the sacrifices that they’ve made — to enable them to get to where they are now.

Waitaki Girls’ High School pupil Kika Tangifolau (16) shares her experiences of life in New Zealand.

"They’re really just showing that wonderful Pasifika gratitude."

The event was the brainchild of former Otago Girls’ High School pupil Tiare Makanesi, who was inspired to establish the annual event in 2018 when she was just 15 years old.

At the time, she said Polyfest was the only thing that Pacific Islanders had in Otago, and the event only celebrated their culture.