Ancestors’ protests inspire speech win
Sharing the legacy of her ancestors has landed a Manawatu¯ teen a Nga¯ Manu Ko¯ rero speech competition win.
Manukura student Shaye Witehira, 15, won the junior English speech division in the regional competition and then won the same division at the national competition in New Plymouth.
She spoke about the vision and foresight of Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Ka¯kahi, who became famous for establishing the Parihaka village in Taranaki and leading peaceful protests against land confiscation from 1879.
Shaye says she is inspired by the leaders for standing firm and continuing to act admirably even in the face of pressures, threats and hate.
‘‘Their vision has helped me understand that even in the darkest hours there’s always a brighter day tomorrow. And when you’re such a powerful and influential leader among your peers you know that regardless of whether you are incarcerated or obliterated, they’ll still carry on that legacy.’’
Shaye descends from Nga Puhi, Te Rarawa, Nga¯ ti Raukawa and Te Ati Awa. Choosing to enrol at Manukura, a ‘‘special-character school’’ that focuses on Ma¯ ori culture, sports and academic learning, was one of her best and bravest decisions, she says.
‘‘It encouraged me to get out of my shell instead of just following where my friends were going. We have very, very supportive teachers who are always encouraging us to strive for excellence. For [the speeches] I had a lot of people having confidence in me and it always encouraged me to keep going.’’
Since starting, she is excited by how fast she has been learning te reo because of hearing and using it regularly. By the time she leaves in year 13, she hopes to be fluent.
This year she is year 10, and is sitting NCEA level one in English and te reo – normally sat by students in year 11. Her top ambition for many years now has been to study law at Harvard Law School in the United States and come back to New Zealand to practice. One day she would also like to join the ranks of Ma¯ori women judges.