Huarahi Māori student wins national competition
 |
Bright lights and a theatre packed full of tertiary students from around the country didn’t faze University of Auckland teaching student Lucky Taylor (Ngati Kahungunu), who recently won the Manu Korero English impromptu speech competition at the Huinga Tauira Polytechnics and Universities in Aotearoa Conference held recently in Christchurch. Judge Kingi Snelgar said he had “no doubts’ about awarding Lucky with first place.
Although Lucky, a Papakura resident, speaks te reo Māori it was his entertaining and self-assured skills in English that won him this competition. With just three minutes to prepare for the three-minute korero, he admits he endured some anxious moments before going on stage and successfully winning a blue glass trophy, along with a prize package that included a cellphone and a lush blanket emblazoned with a koru design.
A first year student in the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Huarahi Māori specialisation, Lucky studies at the School of Te Puna Wananga at the Faculty of Education’s Epsom Campus. The team of 35 from the University included fellow teaching students Keta Kaiwai-Herbert and Mata Ihakara-Wallace. Lucky, Keta, and Mata are learning to teach through the te reo Māori immersion pathway and on completion of their three year degree they will be qualified to teach from years 1-8 in either te reo Māori or mainstream English speaking classrooms.
Originally from PakiPaki in the Hawkes Bay, the father of five got interested in teaching through helping his own children at school, and coaching rugby and kapahaka. He was also inspired by his wife Rachael (Ngati Kahungunu) who is a te reo Māori bilingual teacher and is supporting the family while he studies. He says he “explored life” before making the decision to become a teacher, and just last year was driving trucks for a large hardware store. Now he’s making the sacrifice to return to study because he’s keen to help young people learn about their culture and language.
“I want to give back to Māori,” says Lucky, “We need more good Māori male role models in the classroom and hopefully I can do that. It’s my goal to walk across the marae in 2011 and get my tohu, my teaching degree.”
According to Hēmi Dale who is Director of Māori-Medium Education at the Faculty of Education, Lucky deserves the win not only for his speechmaking skills, but because he’s prepared to give things a go in order to learn and experience new things.
“In addition to public speaking Lucky has a range of talents. He has an amazing singing voice, a great sense of humour and can engage with a wide range of people. He’s also really passionate about what he’s doing and will make a great teacher,” says Hemi.
Lucky was the standout winner from The University of Auckland and although he doesn’t get to keep the trophy, his mana on stage ensures he has been invited back to the conference as a judge next year.
