The event is regarded as the most significant event on the Maori education calendar for nurturing the oratory skills of Maori pupils.
The competition had four categories: senior Maori, senior English, junior Maori and junior English.
King’s High School’s Te Atarau Cassidy and Queen’s High School’s Tallulah Costa won the senior Maori and English categories, respectively. Te Atarau also was first in senior Maori impromptu section and first overall.
Maia Rakete-Gray, of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Otepoti, was first in the senior prepared section.
Te Wharekura o Arowhenua’s Hana Davis and Mount Aspiring College’s Ryan Tuki Enokaa won the top prize in the junior Maori and English categories, respectively.
Regional manu korero co-ordinator Cherie Ford said the event was important for providing a stage for young people to express their views.
"It is an amazing opportunity for our Maori students to be able to take the stage and talk about topics that are very dear to their hearts and it is an amazing opportunity for the audience and other students to be able to hear what they have to say."
There were 20 pupils taking part in the two-day competition this year.
The numbers were affected due to Covid-19 and other illness which have been impacting schools across the region, she said.
"It is a quite significant drop in numbers for this year ... Usually we have probably closer to 30 entries, but we are still very excited as we are able to go ahead.
"It is still a very high quality competition.
"The students who have taken the stage on those two days are amazing.
"It is so inspiring and they are so brave to be there and share their experiences and thoughts with us all."
