Ngā Taonga
E Tipu E Rea
This trophy was presented by the Tai Rāwhiti region in 1994, to commemorate the centenary of the capping of the first Māori graduate at a New Zealand University, and in recognition of Sir Apirana Ngata’s proficiency in Māori and English.
The trophy name “E Tipu, E Rea” is an abbreviation of his well-known proverb, as well as a challenge to our youth.
The purpose is to encourage greater individual, school and regional proficiency in English and Māori languages, and to recognise those students who have shown greatest proficiency in both English and Māori on an individual, school and regional basis.
To be awarded to the student who gains the highest aggregate in both Māori and English languages,
or in the event of no student qualifying;
The school which gains the highest aggregate in both Māori and English languages
or in the event of no school qualifying;
The region who gains the highest aggregate in both Māori and English languages.
If there is a draw, the award will be made to the individual, school, or region with the highest aggregate in Māori.
Makuru
Third in Sir Turi Carroll section.
He tohu whakamahara tēnei ki a Dr Monte Rereamoamo Ohia "Ko te Atua tōku piringa, ka puta, ka ora".
Makuru is the name of the taonga and is adorned with a traditional whakarei representing abundance that will reward our efforts. Education brings abundance to those who walk the path of learning and also to their whānau and to the communities in which they live.
Moni Taumaunu
Second in Sir Turi Carroll section.
Moni Taumaunu was a renowned koroua for his expertise in haka, carving and oratory, and he hailed from Ngāti Rangi of Ruatōrea. He is credited with founding the Tamararo cultural competitions for Te Tai Rāwhiti, and was often asked to speak on behalf of his people. This taonga was gifted by the Te Tai Rāwhiti region in 2003 in memory of him.
Sir Turi Carroll
First Overall Sir Turi Carroll section.
The contest commemorates the late Sir Turi Carroll, revered Kahungunu leader who stood firmly in both worlds. For many years, he was the Chairman of the Wairoa County Council. His last sphere of influence was as the inaugural Chair of the New Zealand Māori Council, a position he filled with distinction and one of great benefit to Māoridom.
The trophy was presented by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa in 1980.
Whakamana Te Reo
This taonga acknowledges the work of those secondary school teachers of Māori language from the region who have passed away, and the legacy they have left for current teachers and students of te reo Māori. It is awarded to the 3rd place-getter in the Rāwhiti Ihaka section.
Te Hononga Waka
Second in the Rawhiti Ihaka section.
This taonga was presented in recognition of the many former St. Stephen’s College students who transferred to Te Aute College following the school’s closure. As this section commemorates the late Rāwhiti Ihaka, many felt that this was a fitting tribute. The central front post graduating in steps upward represents the ‘poutama’ or the ‘tauihu’.
This is in native rimu, tying back to the land. The top of this ‘tauihu’ is the summit of achievement. The winged figure in the yellow tone is a stingray, representing Te Ika- ā-Māui. This figureis connected to the base through the green land formation representing Te Waipounamu, tying the North Island to the South. Finally, the two sides
of the trophy in off-white are the ‘hei matau’, symbolic of the hook of Māui that fished up the North Island. A taonga of mixed media, created by Hēnare Tahuri.
Rawhiti Ihaka
First overall in Rāwhiti Ihaka section.
This contest commemorates the late Rāwhiti Ihaka and the reputation he earned for his skills in oratory, bothvin Māori and in English. The trophy acknowledges his skills in teaching science and mathematics –being one of the first Māori graduates in this field.
The trophy was presented by senior pupils of St. Stephen’s School led by their Headmaster, the late Scottie McPherson, as a tribute to a beloved teacher and mentor.
Taikōhine Toa Dame Whina Cooper Memorial Trophy - Te Rakau Māpuna
Presented by the Tai Tokerau people in 2007 to commemorate the prowess of Dame Whina Cooper embodied in the whakataukī which is on the plaque on the trophy: “Kia mataara te titiro, kia mataara te whakarongo, ka mataara te kōrero”
The purpose is to encourage greater participation by females in the Te Rāwhiti Ihaka Contest (Junior Māori Contest), and to recognise the female student who has shown the greatest proficiency in Te Reo Māori. To be awarded to the female student who gains the highest placing in the Te Rāwhiti Ihaka Section (Junior Māori Contest).
Ngawini
For Third place in the Korimako section. Gifted by the Tai Tokerau people, this was first presented at the 2003 national contest held here in Palmerston North. This taonga was commissioned by Te Kai Mākiha on behalf of Te Reo o Te Tai Tokerau – the Māori Teachers’ Association in Northland.
Jock McEwen
This taonga, e waka huia, was carved and presented in 1965 by Mr. Jock McEwen, a former Secretary of Māori Affairs who has continued his concern for young Māori people since his retirement. It is awarded to the runner-up in the Korimako section.
Korimako
The Korimako trophy is presented to the first overall speaker.
The Korimako contest was sponsored originally by former Governor- General, Sir Bernard Fergusson, Lord Ballantrae, whose express aim was to encourage among Māori pupils a greater command and fluency in the use of spoken English.
Kiri Moerangi Mangu Trophy
Presented by Southland Girls’ High School as a memorial to Kiri Moerangi Mangu, who won the regional Otago/Southland Korimako Speech Contest in 1990. Her goal was to participate in the national Korimako Speech Contest. Kiri did not attend the Nationals as she passed away at the end of term 2.
The Kiri Mangu Trophy is awarded to the winner of the impromptu section of the Korimako contest.
Te Manu Korihi Te Ata-Po Trophy
This taonga takes its name from the wharenui at Rotorua Lakes High School, and was gifted by the school in 2002 for the speaker who gains the highest score in the prepared section of the Korimako contest.
The Te Manu Korohi Te Ata-Pō award ensures there is a prize for the best prepared speech in the korimako section, and compliments the Kiri Moerangi Mangu award for the best impromptu
speech
Hinepumoana
Donated in 2023 by the whānau of Takuta Moana Jackson, a vital proponent of the Ngā Manu Kōrero competitions from their inception.
This trophy is a traditional Māori musical instrument and was created to honour the legacy of Moana Jackson to reflect all he fought to uphold for our people. It is also a symbol to acknowledge the integrity of our women as the divine and sacred source of all of humanity.
Hinepūmoana is the name for this trophy. It is imbued with the mauri of the forest (West Coast totara) sea (shell and feather from friends and whānau) and earth (kokowai).
The carvings on Hinepūmoana are two faces/sides representing balance of tāne and wāhine.
Moana set a precedent by asserting that our wāhine should share their voices on the pae. His support of our voices creates balance between our tāne and wāhine.
Thus, the hope is that the call of Hinepūmoana will elevate the integrity of our young wāhine and honour the integrity of Moana every time it is used!
Mumuhau Takeretou O Mataatua
Mumuhau Tākeretou o Mātaatua was presented by Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi on behalf of the Mātaatua people in 2003. This taonga encapsulates the themes of seeking assistance from others to achieve ambitions, the union between Mumuhau, Tākeretou and Mātaatua, respecting and accepting guidance, dedication, tenacity and keeping true to personal goals of advancement. Both Mumuhau and Tākeretou were manu wairua that assisted the commanders of the Mātaatua canoe to navigate safely to Aotearoa, and this taonga is awarded for third place overall in the Pei Te Hurinui Jones section.
Archlee Fong
Awarded to the second placed student in the Pei Te Hurinui section.
This trophy was donated by Western Springs College on behalf of the Tāmaki Makaurau region in 2003. The Tāmaki teachers decided at their Matariki conference in 2003 to dedicate the trophy to the late Achlee Fong, who was the instigator of the Rūmaki Reo at Western Springs
College. He also worked as a Māori language moderator in Bursary and School Certificate and judged at cultural competitions throughout Auckland. He was also a proactive member of all Māori teachers’ committees.
Pei Te Hurinui Jones
Awarded to the first-place winner of the Pei Te Hurinui Jones section.
This contest commemorates the late Dr. Pei Te Hurinui Jones, a distinguished Waikato elder and scholar who died in 1976. Dr. Jones was a well-known orator and prolific writer who played an important part in the revision of the Williams Dictionary, and in fostering the Māori language in many other ways.
Stirling Brothers Memorial
This waka huia was carved by the late Dr Pakāriki Harrison (Tohunga Whakairo) in memory of his nephews, the Stirling Brothers who passed away in a tragic accident in 1987. George (27), Kepa (24) and Hamiora (19) were all head prefects of St Stephens School (Tipene) and had all been school, regional and national representatives in Rugby. All brothers were well known for their contribution to the Māori components of their School life: Manu Kōrero, Kapa haka, Kaitito waiata.
This trophy was donated in 1989 at Tūrangawaewae by the Stirling Family. This trophy is to challenge Pei Te Hurinui contestants to show their prowess in the Māori language, by speaking on a topic in a spontaneous fashion within three minutes.
Te Kohao O Te Ngira
The name of this taonga comes from a statement made by Kīngi Potatau: “There is only one eye to the needle through which the white, black and red threads may pass. After I am gone, hold fast to faith, hold fast to love,hold fast to the law. Nothing else matters now – nothing.” This trophy is awarded to the speaker with the best prepared speech, and was gifted by the Waikato region.
Riki Ellison
Presented by the family of the late Riki Te Mairaki Taiaroa Ellison in 1985 as a memorial to their kaumātua and to acknowledge his influence in revitalising the language in Te Waipounamu. Awarded to the best male speaker in the national finals of the Pei Te Hurinui Jones contest.
Taikōhine Toa: Ngā Kete o Te Matauranga
The Ngā Kete o te Mātauranga trophy – a korowai and carved base – was presented in 1984 by the people of Te Tai Tokerau. The trophy was carved by Hector Busby, and is awarded to the female student who gains the highest aggregate marks in the Pei Te Hurinui Jones section.