The Northland Regional Debating Championships was held on the 19th of March at Huanui College in Whangarei. A competitive turn-out of 10 teams were present to debate in three preliminary rounds on topics such as lowering the voting age, and paying parents to stay at home and raise children. All judges in attendance felt that this year’s tournament was of a very high standard.
Huanui College and Kerikeri High School were the two top breaking teams who progressed to the final, producing a thoughtful and engaging debate on the motion that “this house believes that the police force should have quotas for racial minorities.” Congratulations to Huanui College for winning the debate and the competition overall.
We are very grateful to Hon Kelvin Davis, MP for Te Tai Tokerau, who assisted in the presentation of prizes and awards and offered some of his own debating advice to the students at the Grand Final.
A big thank you to all the judges, teachers and parents who gave up their day for the tournament, and to Huanui College who generously provided a venue.
Congratulations to the following students who received awards:
Winners – Huanui College:
Ella Rankin
Thomas Roberts
Toby Lengyel
Runners Up – Kerikeri High School:
Sophie Piesse
Lauryn Jarman
Laila Abada
Highly Commended Speakers:
Thomas Roberts (Huanui College)
Ella Short (Whangarei Girls High School)
Reserve to the Northland Regional Team:
Katey Whitehead (Kerikeri High School)
Members of the Northland Regional Team:
Ella Rankin (Huanui College)
Grace Jennings (Kerikeri High School)
Laila Abada (Kerikeri High School)
Best Style:
Ella Rankin (Huanui College)
Most Promising Speaker:
Katey Whitehead (Kerikeri High School)
Best Speaker:
Ella Rankin (Huanui College)