Amanjot Singh named as the national champion at Race Unity Speech Awards

A Hastings Boys’ High School student who stepped outside his comfort zone to enter speech competitions a year ago has now been named the national champion of the 2026 Race Unity Speech Awards.

Held at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, Year 13 student Amanjot Singh received the Tohu Raukura ā-Motu – New Zealand Police National Champion’s Award at the national final.

He also received the Tohu Manaakitanga – the Manukau Institute of Technology Award for Manaakitanga and the Tohu Whetumatarau – the Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision.

“When I first started speech contests a year ago, I did it to step outside my comfort zone and become more confident speaking but as I’ve continued and grown as a speaker, I’ve started to really value expressing my thoughts and appreciate the power that speeches have to challenge perspectives and move people,” Amanjot said.

The Hastings Boys’ High School head boy is also part of the New Zealand Under-18 hockey team and hopes to one day represent New Zealand at the highest level while pursuing a career in medicine.

This year’s theme, ‘Listening to Understand – Whakarongo kia Mārama’, centred on fostering respect and trust across diverse cultural and ethnic communities.

Chief judge and New Zealand Police Assistant Commissioner Tim Anderson said the judges faced a difficult task distinguishing between the finalists, praising the honesty and vulnerability shown by the students.

“All of the students were very humble, they showed their vulnerability and their speeches were very honest. It’s tremendous to witness the courage from our rangatahi as they speak from the heart and give us the gift of their thoughts – we feel enriched from that experience.”

The New Zealand Police have been a principal partner and sponsor of the awards since 2008.

Speaking about Amanjot’s winning speech, Anderson said the student’s message stood out for its positivity and focus on understanding.

“Amanjot had a lovely manner and approach. He was very positive and when you’re talking about social cohesion, the more questions we can ask, and the more understanding that we have, the better it is as opposed to pointing the finger or pushing out blame.”

Children’s Commissioner and national final MC Claire Achmad said the finalists delivered important messages about improving race relations in New Zealand.

“They have also brought forward powerful solutions that are practical – bringing down the borders between us. Sitting and taking the time to understand who you are, what is your story. Not just listening on the surface. But listening to understand.”

National coordinator for the Race Unity Speech Awards Paddy Payne described the event as uplifting.

“Hearing these powerful speeches touched minds, hearts and spirits. Many speakers talked about the oneness of humanity. They made it clear that if everyone in this country really ‘listened to understand’ Aotearoa New Zealand would be transformed – not just from racism but from all forms of prejudice.”

The six finalists were also recognised with awards highlighting different areas of excellence.

Sisilia Misa, a Year 13 student from Middleton Grange School, received the Tohu Māramatanga – Baha’i Community Award for Insight.

“Sisilia showed a tremendous amount of insight on what’s going on in the world today. With eloquence and good humour she managed to look to the future and show some insight into what we can do to constructively overcome some of the barriers to the oneness of mankind. It was a speech full of hope and it was optimistic of how we can break down the walls,” said Nura Taefi.

Lukas Strohmeier, a Year 13 student from Francis Douglas Memorial College, received the Tohu Aumangea – Hedi Moani Memorial Award for Advocacy.

“Lukas presented his speech very clearly with concise pathways to advocacy and action – for us all, as a country to take up this challenge,” said Adel Salamzadeh.

Malak Tamimi received both the Tohu Manukura i te Reo – Māori Language Commission Award for te Reo Māori and the Tohu Eke Panuku – Human Rights Commission Award for Impact.

“Malak managed to share her message in such a special, inclusive and impactful way. Thank you so much for not just including te Māori in your speech, but being considerate in how you used it in a way that could be heard not just in my ears, but in my ngākau,” said Rangiora Trotman.

“Malak’s speech reflected the award for impact by not only inspiring us and challenging us on how we think about impact, but inspired us to also think about how we organise – how do we make a difference in our communities,” added Justin Latif.

Paora Tavake, a Year 12 student from Dilworth School, received the Tohu Auahatanga – Speech NZ Award for Delivery.

“Paora’s opening was immediately engaging, and his delivery integrated the message of listening to be heard. He employed his resonant tone artistically and had an excellent variation of pace, slowing the shorter sentences to give those words more focus. He sustained his breath throughout every line, making every word count, and had the audience totally engrossed. Well done.”

Kylie Arada, a Year 13 student from Southern Cross Campus, received the Tohu Ahurea Rau – Multicultural NZ Award for Diversity.

“You spoke with warmth and wisdom about migrant experiences and the importance of making space for voices that are too often overlooked. You reminded us that listening is not simply hearing words. It is feeling the ripple of someone else’s story and allowing that understanding to guide our actions. Your speech strongly reflected empathy, inclusion and the richness of Aotearoa’s cultural diversity. Congratulations,” said Dinesh Khadka.

Amanjot’s speech was also praised for its compassion and vision for inclusion.

“This was a very special speech, one in which the weapon of choice was love, where we were asked to step inside a courtroom and think not like a lawyer but impartially like a judge, we were challenged to close our eyes and picture different people in different types of jobs; and throughout manaakitanga shone really, really brightly in this speech,” said John Oldfield.

Anahita Oei added: “Amanjot challenged the assumptions that silence people, envisioning a future where belonging and inclusion are actively built. Your words remind us that the future is something we don’t just wait for – it’s something we create, together.”