New Zealand Schools’ Debating

Wellington Black will debate Wellington Gold in the Grand Final of the New Zealand Schools’ Debating Champs, starting in just over half an hour.

Both teams defeated teams from Auckland in the semi-finals yesterday afternoon.

The motion for the final is: This House supports binding citizens initiated referenda.

Results will be posted here this afternoon.

Top  of the tab are Auckland White and Wellington Gold on three wins from three. Just behind them are Auckland Blue, Wellington Black, CNI, and Otago/Southland on two wins. On one win is Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury Black, and Northland. On zero wins is Nelson/Marlborough and Canterbury Red.

The topic for round one was: This House would means-test superannuation

The topic for round two was: This House would abolish trial by jury

The topic for round three was: This House supports global nuclear disarmament

The teams have just been debating in round four on the topic: This House would prevent skilled migrants emigrating from the developing world to the developed world.

Auckland White saw Wellington Gold in a top of the table clash. Wellington Black saw CNI, Otago-Southland saw Auckland Blue, Hawke’s Bay saw Northland, Canty Black saw Waikato, and Nelson/Marlborough saw Canty Red.

Results will be posted when they are to hand.

The National Finals of the New Zealand Schools’ Debating Champs are this coming weekend (Friday 7 to Monday August 10). Here is the timetable below for those who would like to come and watch. All the preliminary debates, including the semi-finals, will take place at Rutherford House, Victoria University of Wellington (Corner Lambton Quay and Bunny St).

Saturday August 8

8am – breakfast for all teams
8.30am – topic for round one announced
9.30am – round one (advised topic area – Superannuation)
11am – morning tea
11.30am – topic for round two announced
12.30pm – round two (advised topic area – Judicial Reform)
1.45pm – lunch
2.30pm – topic for round three announced
3.30pm – round three

Sunday August 9

8.30am – breakfast for all teams
9am – topic for round four announced
10am – round four
11.30am – lunch
12.30pm – topic for round five announced
1.30pm – round five
3pm – semi-finalists announced; topic for the semis announced
4pm – semi-finals
5.30pm – briefing for all teams; sides for the Grand Final announced.

Monday August 10

10am – Grand Final at Legislative Council Chamber, Parliament
11.15 – speeches from the floor
11.45am – presentation of prizes
12pm – morning tea

If you would like to come and watch the Grand Final, please email Jenna Raeburn (Nationals Convenor) this week. For all other debates, just turn up at the appropriate time.

On Monday 11 May the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Hon John Key, hosted a reception in the Grand Hall of the New Zealand Parliament to congratulate the world champion Russell McVeagh New Zealand Schools’ Debating Team.

Update: Photos from this event are now available in the photo gallery.

The speeches from the event were videoed and you can see them by clicking here or at the bottom of this post. The Prime Minister speaks first, followed by Maria English (Captain of the NZ team), Tim Clarke (Partner at Russell McVeagh), and Christopher Bishop, the President of the New Zealand Schools’ Debating Council.

Also present were the Minister of Education, Hon Anne Tolley, the Attorney-General, Hon Christopher Finlayson, the Minister of Revenue, Hon Peter Dunne, and Jacinda Ardern MP (a New Zealand Schools’ Debating Council alumna), along with proud family and friends.

Nationals will be held this year from Friday August 7 to Monday August 10.