Speakers share their dreams for race unity (video)

This year's winner of the National Race Unity Speech is Naomi Kumar, a Year 13 student from Hillcrest High School, Hamilton. Naomi was one of more than 200 students in around the country who for the past month, have kept audiences spellbound with speeches on the theme "My dream for Aotearoa New Zealand". 

"Police have supported the event as it provides an opportunity for our talented youth to spread their message on how to achieve positive race relations," says Superintendent Wallace Haumaha. 

“These inspirational youth are the calibre of leaders we are targeting to join the New Zealand Police. Naomi Kumar is a worthy winner and we look forward to her and fellow contestants realising their dreams.” 

The annual speech contest is held to celebrate Race Relations Day and was initiated by the Bahai community in 2001. It is sponsored by the New Zealand Police and supported by the Human Rights Commission and Office of Ethnic Affairs. 

View Naomi's winning speech. (PDF, 128KB)

Find out more about the Race Unity Speech Awards.