Ruapehu College puts itself on the Taha Maori map

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 6, 2 July 1985, Page 10

Ruapehu College puts itself on the Taha Maori map

1 hree pupils from Ruapehu College travelled to Taihape last Friday to participate in the Korimako Maori, speech regional finals. Eleven other schools from all parts of the country sent competitors to the finals. The contest is an annual event, established many years ago, but Ruapehu College has not competed in it for some time, says Mr Enoka Munro, Ruapehu College's teacher of Maori. The contest is divided into four categories, the senior Maori section which is sponsored in the name of Pei Te Hurinui Jones, where competitors have to speak on a topic in Maori for up to twelve minutes. Ruapehu College was not represented in that section.

1q the junior Maori, or Rawhiti Ihaka section, a six minute speech is required. Mark Cribb represented Ruapehu College in this class. In the Korimako or senior English section, Judy Kumeroa was required to speak for six minutes on the extended family and its importance. In addition to the above, which was a prepared speech, she was also required to give an impromptu speech for three minutes. Maxine George, representing the college in the junior English or Sir Turi Carroll section, spoke on 'the Marae'. All students who study Maori at school were eligible to compete in the Maori

language section, but only those of Maori decent could take part in the English language section. Although only first prizes were awarded, Maxine George was told she was the second best in her section. Mr Munro said that all of the Ruapehu College students did extremely well. "Their speeches were excellently prepared and the presentation was of a very high standard," he said. "If Ruapehu College hasn't been on the Taha Maori map in the past, it is now, as our speakers made their presence felt." Forty-one students take Maori at Ruapehu College.