Te Reo Māori is well and thriving in the Pa Enua as demonstrated by the fluent and passionate senior student speakers who dominated the awards in the Tārērē Kōrero Māori ā te au 'Api'i Tuarua ō te Kūki 'Airani (Reo Māori Schools Speech Competition) on Tuesday evening.

The event was held at the National Auditorium Domes.

The students of Tereora, the country’s national college, also impressed after placing in each of the Year Level categories and winning the Year 11 trophy.

Fourteen students from Rarotonga schools and the neighbouring Southern Group islands participated in the event run by the Ministry of Education.

The speeches were well researched and well delivered in each of their respective island languages, followed by appreciative cheers and encouragement from the large crowd.

Awards – Year 11: 1st Tuema Areai' - Āpi'i Tereora, 2nd Marie Mingi - 'Āpi’i ‘Enuāmanu, 3rd Ngatama Tuakanangaro - 'Āpi'i Mauke; Year 12 1^st Anadoria Tereapii' - Āpi’i Mangaia, 2^nd Teii Ngametua - Āpi'i Tereora, 3^rd Teryna Paratainga - 'Āpi'i  'Enuāmanu; Year 13 1^st Aaron Marc Punua - 'Āpi'i  'Enuāmanu, 2^nd Christian Tereora - 'Āpi'i Mangaia, 3^rd Marenga Tua - Āpi'i Tereora.