The 2013 Nationals Schools Debating Championships is taking place this weekend in Wellington. Twelve teams regional teams from around New Zealand will be competing to be reach the Grand Final on Monday in Parliament’s Legislative Council Chamber. The two finalists will debate the motion “This House would not prosecute people who download and share entertainment media on the Internet”, reflecting the sponsorship of Internet NZ.
This year is a special milestone for NZ Schools Debating, marking 25 years since the first nationals and the founding of NZSDC in 1988. To commemorate this event, there is a Silver Jubilee Dinner on Saturday evening where a number of friends and alumni of NZSDC will be attending to celebrate the organisation’s history. Former patron of the Council and Governor General The Right Honourable Anand Satyanand will be a guest speaker at this event.
The timetable for the championships is below. Members of the public are welcome to attend the debates at the university (Rounds 2-7) on Saturday and Sunday. The NZSDC will be tweeting results from each round under the handle @nzsdc, and other tweets can be found with a search for the hashtag #nzsdc.
CHAMPIONSHIPS TIMETABLE
Friday 9 August
12:30-4:30 pm Registration at the Travelodge Hotel, 2-6 Gilmer Terrace, Wellington.
5:30 pm Assemble at Russell McVeagh, Level 24, Mobil on the Park, 157 Lambton Quay. Light Meal available from 5:30 to 6:00pm.
6:00 pm Opening of the New Zealand Finals. Briefing for all teams.
6:30 pm Round 1 (one hour preparation)
8:30 pm Return to Travelodge Hotel.
Saturday 10 August
7.30 am Breakfast at Travelodge Hotel
8:30 am Assemble at Rutherford House, Victoria University of Wellington, corner of Lambton Quay and Bunny Street. Topic for Round 2 announced (one hour preparation)
9:30 am Round 2
11:00 am Morning tea
11:30 am Topic for Round 3 announced (one hour preparation)
12:30 pm Round 3
1:45 pm Lunch
2;30 pm Topic for Round 4 announced (one hour preparation)
3:30 pm Round 4
5:00 pm Return to Travelodge Hotel
7:00 pm NZSDC Silver Jubilee Dinner, Soi Restaurant, Greta Point Wharf, 305 Evans Bay Parade.
Sunday 11 August
8:00 am Breakfast at Travelodge Hotel
9:00 am Assemble at Rutherford House. Topic for Round 5 announced (one hour preparation)
10:00 am Round 5
11:30 am Lunch
12:30 pm Topic for Round 6 announced (one hour preparation)
1:30 pm Round 6
3:00 pm Topic for Round 7 announced (one hour preparation)
4:00 pm Round 7
5:30 pm Return to Travelodge Hotel
7:00 pm Quiz night and pizza evening at Rutherford House. Announcement of semi-finalists
10:00 pm Competitors return to Travelodge Hotel.
Monday 12 August
8:00 am Breakfast at Travelodge Hotel
9:00 am Announcement of topics for semi-finals
10:00 am Semi-finals (at Travelodge Hotel and Queen Margaret College)
11:30 am Announcement of Grand Finalists and Lunch
12:45 pm Official Photos outside Parliament
2:30 pm GRAND FINAL at Legislative Council Chamber, Parliament Buildings
4:00 pm Prize-giving
4:30 pm Afternoon tea for competitors
