Kia kotahi te hoe — Paddle as one
This year’s annual Race Unity Speech Awards marked the 21st time the awards have been held, after first being held in 2001. Once again they demonstrated the value of this Bahá’í initiative in supporting the efforts of young people to advance public discourse on race relations.
The Race Unity Speech Awards and Hui play an important role in the work of the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs (OPA) by providing a vehicle to make a significant contribution to public discourse on race unity and ethnic diversity. They have allowed the OPA to build very strong relationships with government agencies and civil society organisations; they have contributed to the OPA’s relationships with the media; and have helped to enhance the Faith’s presence on the web and on social media.
This year’s theme was “Kia kotahi te hoe — Paddle as one”. As always, participants were asked to consider a Bahá’í quotation and a Māori whakataukī in the course of preparing their speeches.
The event was held at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at the Manukau Institute of Technology’s Ōtara campus. Semi-finals were held there on Friday 7 May, followed by the Race Unity Hui on 8 May and the finals on 9 May. The hui provides a welcoming space for young people and their supporters to build a shared vision of the future of race relations in Aotearoa.
Over the years the awards have been held, some strong and enduring relationships have been forged with teachers, students and parents. The feedback received each year continues to show a high level of support and respect for the competition and its accompanying hui.
Much credit for this must go to the regional coordinators whose dedication and hard work are critical, with the support of their Local Spiritual Assemblies. But of course, the competition would not exist without the thoughtful, passionate students who are willing to share their views about how to promote racial harmony in Aotearoa/New Zealand. This year’s Master of Ceremonies, television journalist Mr Jehan Casinader, was himself a former participant in the Race Unity Speech Awards. Indeed, one of the judges this year was another alumni. It is clear that the impact of participating in the programme as a youth makes a strong impact on future contributions by the participants to the race unity discourse in many other spheres.
A little about the history of the awards is published in an article about Bev Watson who has been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours as a result of her work in establishing the awards, and other work in promoting human rights.
First place in the awards went to Lucia Bernards, a year 12 student at Tawa College. She urged her listeners “to be the change you want to see”.
This year, with the introduction of awards from other partner organisations, there were more people to recognise.
Lucia-Tui Bernards was awarded:
Tohu Raukura ā-Motu – NZ Police National Champion’s Award
Tohu Eke Panuku – Human Rights Commission Award for Impact
Tohu Whetumatarau – Office of Ethnic Communities Award for Vision
Tui-Aroha Fransen from Manukura was awarded:
Tohu Māramatanga – Bahá’í Community Award for Insight
Mairangi Campbell from Gisborne Boys’ High School was awarded:
Tohu Auahatanga – Speech NZ Award for Delivery
Sheryl Chand from Solway College was awarded:
Tohu Aumangea – Hedi Moani Memorial Award for Advocacy
The speeches of all six finalists can be viewed on the YouTube page, www.youtube.com/RaceUnity
The Minister of Police, Hon. Poto Williams, will host the 20th anniversary event for the Race Unity Speech Awards at Parliament in September this year. The Speech Awards have also just had two mentions in the House of Representatives by Members of Parliament from two different political parties:
On 2 June it was moved by Mr Greg O'Connor: “That this House congratulate Lucia Tui-Bernards, a year 12 Tawa College student, on winning the Tohu Raukura ā-Motu – NZ Police National Champion's Award at the 2021 Race Unity Speech Awards.”
On 9 June it was moved by Ms Melissa Lee: “That this House congratulate Tui-Aroha Fransen, Mairangi Campbell, and Sheryl Chand on their achievements in winning the Tohu Māramatanga, Tohu Auahatanga, and Tohu Aumangea Awards, respectively, at the Race Unity Speech Awards for 2021, held at the Manukau Institute of Technology on Saturday, 8 May 2021.”
The Hui and Speech Awards were established and are organised annually by the New Zealand Bahá’í community. They are sponsored and supported by the NZ Police, the Human Rights Commission, the Hedi Moani Charitable Trust, the Federation of Multicultural Councils, Manukau Institute of Technology, the National Commission for UNESCO, the Office of Ethnic Communities, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Speech New Zealand and and Studio Marque.
A press release from the NZ Police describing this year’s awards event can be found on the Scoop website. Reports have been published on various news websites. Two examples on stuff.co.nz are these:
