Race Unity Hui are run in conjunction with the Speech Awards to give young people a voice on race relations in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Students from a variety of secondary schools nationwide in years 11-13 take part in this yearly competition.
This year's Race Unity Speech Awards topic highlights the value of social cohesion and community collaboration as “Te Taura Tangata / The Rope of Unity”. Fostering cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand through inclusivity, empathy, and respect for differing beliefs and diversity based on respectful relationships with each other and tangata whenua.
Media are invited to attend this year’s award finals:
When: Sunday, 5 May 2024, 10:00am – 2:30pm
Where: Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae
Manukau Institute of Technology Ōtara Campus
53 Ōtara Road, Ōtara, Auckland 2023 (Gate 12)
Please RSVP to sandra@raceunity.nz and media@police.govt.nz if you wish to attend.
The metaphor of the ‘rope of unity’ symbolises the idea when people come together from different backgrounds, they form a stronger, more resilient bond that can withstand the challenges of social division and build social cohesion. Just as the intertwining strands of a rope create a unified, cohesive whole that is stronger than each individual strand, unity among people creates a stronger unified society.
“It is an opportunity for young people of different backgrounds and ethnicities to come together, connect, share their stories and experiences. So, in the years to come they are equipped to tackle the challenges of the world with a united front,” says Police Deputy Chief Executive Iwi & Communities Pieri Munro. Mr Munro will be one of the lead judges from New Zealand Police at this year’s Race Unity Speech Finals.
About the Awards
• The Baha’i Faith is a religious community concerned with promoting the oneness of humanity at the local, national, and international levels.
• The Hui and Speech Awards are organised by the New Zealand Bahá’í community and are sponsored and supported by the New Zealand Police, the Human Rights Commission, the Federation of Multicultural Councils, Manukau Institute of Technology, the National Commission for UNESCO, the Office of Ethnic Communities, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Speech New Zealand and the Hedi Moani Charitable Trust and Studio Marque.
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RaceUnity
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raceunityaotearoa
Instagram: @raceunityaotearoa
Media contacts:
Sandra Paymani: sandra@raceunity.nz 027 257 7422
Police Media: media@police.govt.nz
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
