More than 1000 people, from such distant towns as Kaikohe, Bethlehem and Tokoroa, came to support the 56 speakers competing in the Nga Manu Korero national secondary speech competition.
From the Maori wardens welcoming visitors to the Edgar Centre event, to the kaumatua protected from the cold by red blankets this was a speech contest with a difference.
Pere Wihongi (16), of Auckland, who competed in the senior English section on the topic of "The Gift of Language", said he was glad his speech was over.
"I can finally get some good sleep."
Supported on stage by 10 fellow pupils from Te Kura Kaupapa a Rohe o Mangere, who performed a waiata after he finished his speech, Pere said the group had raised funds for weeks before making the trip south.
In addition to Pere practising his oratory, a spot of geography had been required.
"I had to look up where Dunedin was ...
I thought it was in the top of the South Island."
Pere said he was looking forward to visiting the Cadbury factory and walking up Baldwin St, the world's steepest street, while in Dunedin and like some other members of his group might return to study at the University of Otago.
A member of the audience told the Otago Daily Times that despite her Christchurch-based school having no entrants in the competition this year, Dunedin was a welcome respite from a fortnight of aftershocks.
Bayfield High School teacher Lizzie Adams said she spent the whole day speaking te reo Maori which was exciting for pupils to do at a Dunedin-based event.
"It is such a taonga."
Pupils were also impressed to see actor Rawiri Paratene, who featured in Whale Rider, as one of the judges, she said.
It is the first time the 45-year-old event has been held in Dunedin and the two-day contest concludes today with junior Maori and English sections before the prizegiving.
