New Zealand Schools’ Debating

In news just in from Athens, Maria English has been ranked as the 2nd best speaker in the world.

A photo of the team is here.

There are articles online on both stuff and the Herald website. Watch the TV3 midday news for a bulletin, and the 6pm bulletin.

New Zealand has just won the World Schools Debating Championships for the first time since 1995 by beating England by 6-1 in the Grand Final.

More news to follow.

NZ beat Singapore 3-2 in the semis proposing that dictatorships should not receive international aid.

In the Grand Final they are against England… so it is a reply of the 2008 Grand Final.

NZ is proposing that “THB that all illegal immigrants should receive amnesty”.

The final is at 5pm Athens Time, which is 4am in the morning NZ time tomorrow. Should have results by 7am or so.

Post your messages of support here!

NZ (Ben, Maria, and Jen) beat Canada by 4-1 in the quarterfinals this morning (Athens time) proposing that the voting age should be lowered.

They are in the semis against Singapore who beat Australia by 3-2.

The other semi is between England and Greece, a replay of Washington 2008…

Go NZ!!

UPDATE: Topic for semi is “That dictatorships should not receive international aid”. New Zealand is proposing.

New Zealand (Ben, Maria, Jen) defeated Wales this morning by 3-0, proposing “This House would require people to work in return for welfare”.

Australia, England, Scotland, Greece, Singapore, Pakistan and Canada also won.

New Zealand is against Canada in the quarter-finals at 9am Athens time tomorrow (8pm NZ time tonight – Tuesday). Results as soon as we get them.

New Zealand won their final debate by 3-0 against Peru, with Ben, Jen and Maria proposing that minor crimes should be punished with the same vigour as major crimes.

NZ finished the 8 rounds with 8 wins and 19 from 24 judges, and therefore broke in 3rd place. Not sure who broke above them yet.

They are against Wales (the 14th ranked team) in their octo-final, who they beat in round 7.

Congrats also to Rosy Moar, who is chairing an octo-final panel.

NZ (Holly, Ben, Maria) beat Wales by 2-1 this morning, proposing that public services should be run by private companies.

NZ has now won 7 from 7 debates, and taken 16/21 judges.

NZ’s final debate is against Peru this afternoon. Will update when news comes to hand.

In Round Five New Zealand (Ben, Tom, Jen) defeated the Netherlands by 2-1, proposing that all current technologies relating to genetic screening of embryos be legalised.

In Round Six New Zealand (Holly, Tom, Jen) defeated Germany by 2-1, opposing that smoking should be banned in all public places.

New Zealand is on 6 wins from 6, and has taken 14/18 judges so far. We don’t have the full results yet from rounds 5 and 6, so not sure where New Zealand is placed at this stage. But it will be near the top!

Messages of support can be left in the comments. The team reads them and appreciates them!

NZ made it four from four on day two of Words 2009.

In round three NZ beat Chile by 3-0 proposing “This House would expand the civilian use of nuclear energy”

In round four, the crunch debate of the preliminary rounds, Ben, Maria and Jen beat Scotland 2-1 on an impromptu topic.

NZ is 4/4 so far having taken 10/12 judges.