The Power Of The Voice Of Youth: Stories That Connect Us With A Vision Of The Future | Race Unity Speech Awards 2025

Jordyn Joy Pillay from Ormiston Senior College in Auckland has been named the National Champion of the Race Unity Speech Awards for 2025.

Held at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae in Otara Auckland, the Year 12 student also received the Tohu Whetumatarau - Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision. Jordyn said she was thrilled to receive the awards.

“Being named as the National Champion is a huge honour and this has been the biggest achievement in my life - it truly has topped everything I’ve done so far.

“My vision through writing and presenting my speech, was to offer tangible and real solutions to what we can do right now to make a difference. For example, I propose a culturally inclusive curriculum, where every lesson weaves in different cultures and histories. Diversity must be more than a moment - it must be a movement. Be the change you want to see.”

Police Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers, the chief judge of the awards, stressed the importance of providing a platform for rangatahi to discuss and share their thoughts on important societal issues.

“I am astonished by the quality of the speeches from our young people over the weekend,” she says.

“As Police, we are proud to be supporting a platform for our young people to voice their aspirations and solutions.”

All speeches provoked and challenged the audience as well as offering solutions and ideas to consider - not to be silent, to stand up and speak out; to show hospitality and kindness; giving students the chance to walk in someone else’s shoes through a Virtual Reality initiative - to cross bridges rather than build walls.

MC Dr Claire Achmad, Chief Children’s Commissioner, Mana Mokopuna, said the awards presented to our amazing wahine toa rangatahi speakers recognise and celebrate excellence, drawing attention to the speeches that have the greatest chance of swaying hearts and minds towards race unity.

“The reality is that we all need to be in one waka - he waka eke noa - and our speakers have shown us that we all need to play our part.”

All finalists received a special award recognising speeches for specific types of excellence.

Estella Hepburn-Van Zyl, a Year 12 student from Gisborne GIrls’ High School received the Tohu Māramatanga Baha’i Community award for Insight.

“You reminded us that we can’t just wait for racism to happen and then say, hey we don’t tolerate this. That’s not enough. You reminded us that we actually have to stop racism before it happens - and you challenged us. To change the future, nurture the youth.” - Nick Moss - Member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai’s NZ.

Tanyn Wood, a Year 13 student from Mt Aspiring College in Wānaka received the Tohu Manaakitanga - the Manukau Institute of Technology Award for Manaakitanga.

“I was struck by one korero, who encouraged us to think of Aotearoa as not just a collection of people, but a collection of stories. A collection of rich, expansive and compelling stories if only we took the time to get to know them.” Professor Martin Carroll - Manukau Institute of Technology

Maia Moss, a Year 12 student from MANUKURA School in Palmerston North who delivered her speech in te Reo Māori recieved the Tohu Manukura i te Reo - Māori Language Commission Award for te Reo Māori and the Tohu Eke Panuku - Human Rights Commission Award for Impact.

“How gallant and brave to bring te Reo into spaces that aren’t historically made for Māori. This speech gave such a fantastic example of how korero tipuna and contemporary korero can be woven together to create such a strong remedy for some of the issues that we’re facing today.” - Rangiora Trotman - Pou Arataki - Te Hiringa, Te Taura Whiri I te Reo Māori.

Zara Oliyath, a Year 12 Student from Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland received the Tohu Ahurea Rau - Multicultural NZ Award for Diversity as well as the Tohu Auahatanga - Speech NZ Award for Delivery.

“The final part of speech making is that part of delivery - to bring home the message. Throughout their speech Zara used different styles of speaking within the talk and that just lifted the whole delivery. She used wonderful techniques, and used extra effective use of pause, with a lovely variety of pace.” Stephanie Caisley - Speech NZ

Maya Blackman, a Year 13 student from Western Heights High School in Rotorua received the Tohu Aumangea - Hedi Moani Memorial Award for Advocacy.

“Diversity is not something that can be ignored. If flows from the history of our country through to the present day. How will we embrace the idea of diversity? Acceptance is only the beginning; from there, you must broaden your knowledge and look below the surface.” - Maya Blackman - Western Heights High School, Rotorua

Nick Moss, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of New Zealand, said the quality of the speeches was extraordinary with each student bringing their own angle to the theme of Te Moana Nui O Te Kanorau - The Great Ocean of Diversity.

“All the speeches aligned with the values we share - the unity of humankind. Each participant brought insights in their own way, and we heard clearly and effectively the important role that youth play in helping us reach our true potential.”

© Scoop Media