Christ’s College orators win Ngā Manu Kōrero honours
26 Jun 2025
In a remarkable double, Christ’s College Head Prefect Ihaka Cate and Year 10 student Pewhairangi Morgan will represent Waitaha (Canterbury) at the national Ngā Manu Kōrero Māori speech competition in Whanganui from 16–18 September.
Ihaka has been named the overall Korimako Contest winner of the regional event held at Rangiora High School following his standout speeches in both the impromptu and prepared senior sections while Pewhairangi has won the Sir Turi Carroll Contest (Junior English) and finished 3rd in the Te Rāwhiti Ihaka Contest (Junior Māori).
In its 60th year, Ngā Manu Kōrero “is regarded as the most significant event on the Māori education calendar for nurturing oratory skills and providing the stage for young people to express their views and lay down their challenges” to an audience of “peers, parents, whānau, and judges”.
For Ihaka, “it has been truly amazing to stand at Ngā Manu Kōrero 2025”.
“To represent myself, my family, my peers, and my school on a stage like this is such a huge privilege,” he says. “It was a fulfilling kaupapa that really allowed me to embrace my Māoritanga and wairua (spirit) in such an impactful way. I am truly grateful for being part of this amazing kaupapa and thank everyone for their help and support.”
Ihaka points out that Pewhairangi’s achievements – at such a young age – on the Ngā Manu Kōrero stage are impressive.
“He delivered very powerful speeches on the importance of tikanga (customs) and the likes of valuing what’s important to you,” Ihaka says. “Pewhairangi represented our school and his family very well and there was such power to his voice that the kaiwhakawā (judges) simply couldn’t turn away from him.
“Obviously, Pewhairangi is very pleased with the results of his kōrero and we both are very much looking forward to the upcoming nationals.”
(Kiniwai Morgan has accepted the award on behalf of his brother, Pewhairangi, at Assembly at College.)
Watch Ihaka's speech at 1:40:00 here –
