Queen’s High School student Malak Tamimi, 16, was one of the top six speakers out of 150 participants at the recent Race Unity Speech Awards in Auckland.
She won two awards, the Tohu Eke Panuku — Human Rights Commission Award for Impact and the Tohu Manukura i te Reo — Māori Language Commission Award for te Reo Māori.
This year’s theme, "Listening to Understand, Whakarongo Kia Mārama", was not just a saying but it was also a way of life to centre yourself around, she said.
"I kind of took that and thought of my own culture and my own background and how I could intertwine them together.
"I am from Palestine, I am loud and proud about that.
"So I wanted to make sure to incorporate elements of my culture from Palestine into my speech."
She also wanted to look at similarities between Palestinians and Māori as indigenous people in Aotearoa.
Before the competition, she interviewed relatives and shop owners in Palestine, finding that their deep connection to the land mirrored the experiences of Māori in Aotearoa.
"No matter what conflict is going on, no matter what hardship they’re going through, they love their land," she said.
Her speech also explored the subtle nature of prejudice and how acts of ignorance can harm communities.
"Racism is not always loud, but often quiet and normalised and ignored."
The national finals held significant personal weight for her because her grandfather died just a couple of days before the event.
"So I was very full of emotions, but I managed to contain myself and deliver my speech very eloquently.
"And I did give him an acknowledgement at the start of my speech."
While she was nervous earlier during the regional and semifinal heats, a sense of calm washed over her at the national final.
"I honestly felt very strong and in control.
"At the semifinals, I was stressed and my heart was beating. But when I got there, it was almost like my goal had been achieved. Like, I got there and I was like, no heart beating, nothing.
"I just got up there and I did my speech."
She hoped her success would inspire others in her community to use their voices on national platforms.
"I think for me, entering this, it was really a platform for me to share my perspective as a Palestinian, Muslim, hijabi woman living in Dunedin, brought up, born in Dunedin, and kind of share my unique perspective."
