Humbling experience for Wainuiomata speaker.

Commanding the Stage- Nohokainga Pulekautaha-Lai competing at the 2010 National Nga Manu Korero

 ‘It is not often that you are blessed with the opportunity to represent your region in such a prestigious competition’ profound words of Year 13 Nohokainga Pulekautaha-Lai. Just last month Nohokainga travelled down south to Dunedin and represented Te Awakairangi/Waiarapa at the National Nga Manu Korero competition. Nohokainga was one of 56 students from around New Zealand who for three days came together to compete for the various Nga Manu Korero awards.

She was one of 14 competitors in the Senior English section alone. Nohokainga chose the topic ‘Peace is more than the absence of War’. Nohokainga addressed the issues of inequality that have affected Maori over the years. Throughout her korero Nohokainga spoke about the Super city and the Treaty of Waitangi. In her own words ‘Peace is more than the absence of War it is the Presence of justice, I raise the question, where is the justice for the tangata whenua, where is the justice for Maori?’ Nohokainga commanded the stage with her presence and flare and ultimately won the crowd over with her own waiata- entitled ‘Peace.’ After thunderous applause this lead to her rohe to sing the Ngati Porou anthem Paikea. Nohokainga then had to deliver a 3 minute impromptu speech- her chosen topic was ‘The road to success for Maori is.’ Nohokainga spoke about education and to become successful we must realise our potential. In the end Nohokainga placed 5th overall and she also received 2nd in prepared. Although she didn’t place in the top three Nohokainga says ‘Its not about winning, at the end of the day its about standing upon that stage and carrying the mana of your Tupuna, your whanau, your region and your kura. This is our time, these are tomorrow’s leaders. We are the future of our people. In the end we are all winners Regardless of title or not.’