More than 130 students from across Aotearoa New Zealand entered this year’s Race Unity Speech Awards. Our Ministry has sponsored the Awards since 2009, helping communities and young people share their voices, experiences and ideas.
On Sunday 10 May, around 150 students, whānau, educators and community leaders gathered at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) for the national finals.
Held under the theme Whakarongo kia mārama (listen to understand), this year’s speeches reflected on their personal experiences. Finalists spoke about identity, belonging and the role each of us plays in building understanding and stronger communities.
Together, their voices showed both the diversity and unity of Aotearoa’s next generation, and a shared commitment to a future grounded in empathy, pride, hope and connection.
A powerful voice for understanding
Amanjot Singh of Hastings Boys’ High School was named the 2026 National Winner. Amanjot also received the Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision, which recognises a speech that helps us imagine Aotearoa New Zealand as a multicultural society where Ethnic Communities are truly included and connected. He was also awarded the Manukau Institute of Technology Award for Manaakitanga , recognising the care, respect and compassion at the heart of his message.
In his winning speech, Amanjot invited the audience to reflect on their own assumptions and biases. Using the idea of “the courtroom of life”, he spoke about the importance of listening with intention and humility, rather than judging too quickly.
Supporting youth leadership and vision
Presenting the Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision was Anahita Oei, Strategic Programme Lead, who spoke on behalf of the Ministry about the importance of supporting rangatahi leadership.
She acknowledged the strength of all finalists and highlighted the role young people play in shaping a more inclusive future for Aotearoa New Zealand. She spoke about the value of leadership that helps build shared understanding and encourages people to think carefully about the future we are creating together.
In her remarks, she noted how Amanjot’s speech challenged assumptions and imagined a future where belonging and inclusion are intentionally created. She also emphasised the importance of honest and respectful conversations about race unity, and the need to ensurse diverse communities are heard, valued and able to help shape decisions that affect them.
Looking ahead
The Race Unity Speech Awards continue to provide an important platform for young people to share their stories, challenge assumptions and inspire action.
This year’s event was a reminder that meaningful change begins with listening. It also showed that young people across Aotearoa are already leading the way in shaping a more inclusive future.
Recordings of the 2026 speeches are available. (URL: https://www.youtube.com/RaceUnity )
Image on the left: Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at Manakau Institute of Technology.
Image in the middle: Top row (left to right): Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo (NZ Police); Alex Maehe (Deputy Principal, Naenae College; Bahá’í community Award judge); Dinesh Khadka (Honorary Consul of Nepal; presented a special award on behalf of Multicultural NZ); Pancha Narayanan (National President, Multicultural NZ; Award judge); Assistant Commissioner Tim Anderson (NZ Police; Award Chief Judge); Dr Melissa Derby (Race Relations Commissioner; Award judge); Jordyn Joy Pillay (RUSA National Champion 2025); Dr Claire Achmad (Children’s Commissioner; MC for the National Final); Gregory Fortuin (former Race Relations Conciliator, 2001).
Bottom row (left to right): 2026 finalists - Lukas Strohmeier (Francis Douglas Memorial College), Sisilia Misa (Middleton Grange School), Amanjot Singh (Hastings Boys’ High School), Paora Tavake (Dilworth School), Kylie Arada (Southern Cross Campus), and Malak Tamimi (Queen’s High School).
Image on the right: Amanjot Singh (left), national award winner and recipient of the Ministry’s Vision Award and MIT’s Manaakitanga Award, with Anahita Oei (right) from the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.