JustTalk ran its first NZ Student Justice Speech Competition in 2017 and with 160 entries from over 60 schools across our country, it was a rather successful start delving into thought-provoking subjects amongst our students throughout New Zealand.

There were many interesting topics on various justice issues, both on a national and international level, that were explored by the students and the team of 15 judges had a tough job selecting the finalists from the 26 semi-finalists, of which ten were Year 9 students and 16 were Year 10 students. It was a very close call between the Top 3 winners.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this competition. We hope that looking into the justice issues faced by society broadened your knowledge, opened up discussions and some critical thinking.

Here are the results for the 2017 JustTalk Justice Speech Competition:

1st Place

• Claude Tellick  – Year 9 – Christ’s College
• Topic: T?rite/ Inequality of M?ori in New Zealand
• Winning the Grand Prize of $1000 for your school + $1000 for your charity of choice + $1000 for yourself!
• Claude has chosen Bros for Change as the recipient of the charity $1000

2nd Place

• Erinn Aspell – Year 9 – Queen Margaret College
• Topic: The dark side of coffee
• Special Prize of $200

3rd Place

• Orla Walsh – Year 10 – John Paul College
• Topic:  My Vision for Social Equity
• Special Prize of $100

Spot Prize Winners – $100 each

• Malindi Reihana – Ruka – Year 9 – Springbank School – Topic: Depression
• Jemlin Garay – Year 9 – St John’s College, Hastings  – Topic: Immigrants and Social Justice
• Zoe Brawn – Year 10 – Western Springs College – Topic: Mental Health in New Zealand
• Jalena Harris – Year 9 – Kaikorai Valley College – Topic: Men’s Shame
• Diya Kurien – Year 9 – Sacred Heart Girls’ College – Topic: Girls

Some student feedback from 2017

“Thank You so much! I am very, very happy! This was my first speech competition and I have never made it into any competition of such at primary, intermediate or y9, so thank you so much!” from JA, a Yr 10 student who made it into the semi finals.