Students take part in UN speech contest

Three Aotea College students have trod new ground for their school by entering a United Nations speech contest.

The students last month took part in the regional competition to choose the Wellington representative at the United Nations model summit in June.

Maisy Bentley and Tyler Koroheke were two of the three students in the first-time entry.

Bentley said it was important to get her school involved.

‘‘Getting the voice of all Wellington, not just the central schools, is important,’’ she said.

The entrants had to prepare an eight-minute speech on human security in diverse communities.

Bentley focused on refugees and how they could be helped and Koroheke looked at racism in New Zealand.

Koroheke said it was tough fitting such a broad topic into an eightminute speech.

Bentley is planning to study law next year and hopes Aotea College will continue to take part in the competition.

‘‘We didn’t win, but taking part and advancing our skills was important.’’