A Year 12 student South African Indian origin from Ormiston Senior College in Auckland has been named national champion of the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards.
"Being named as the national champion is a huge honour and this has been the biggest achievement in my life," Jordyn Joy Pillay said after the win. "It truly has topped everything I've done so far.
Six students from across the country competed in the finals held last weekend at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae in Otara.
The awards are a platform for senior high school students nationwide to suggest ideas on how to improve race relations in New Zealand.
Following a series of racially motivated attacks in 1997, the Baha'I community and Race Relations Office organised a rally celebrating unity in diversity.
This led to the creation of Race Unity Day in 1999, now known as Race Relations Day, which falls on 21 March every year.
The Race Unity Speech Awards are held in support of Race Relations Day, with the competition celebrating its 25th year.
This year's theme was "The Great Ocean of Diversity", which "really pushed [me] to reflect deeply on how diversity is often spoken about but not always truly lived," Pillay said.
"Crafting my speech made me realize that I'm not just speaking for myself, but for others who have felt unseen or unheard.
"Taking part in the heats was emotional and empowering ... [it] reminded me that change starts with courage.
"I'm fairly new in the country and this is the first time I have competed in a competition so huge."
Pillay was also awarded the Tohu Whetumatarau - Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision.
"My vision was to offer tangible and real solutions to make a difference. For example, I proposed a culturally inclusive curriculum, where every lesson weaves in different cultures and histories," Pillay said.
Jordyn Joy Pillay and other award recipients at the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards. Photo: Supplied
Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers, chief judge of the awards, said the competition provided a platform for young people to share their thoughts on important societal issues.
Zara Oliyath, a Year 12 student from Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland, who hails from Delhi in India, received the Tohu Ahurea Rau - Multicultural NZ Award for Diversity as well as the Tohu Auahatanga - Speech NZ Award for Delivery.
"When I was a child in New Delhi, I remember reciting proverbs in class, including ones from my culture in Malayalam," Oliyath said.
"One stayed with me: 'Naanathwathil ekathwam', which translates to, 'We have unity in diversity'. It speaks to the power of collective action, of unity built not on sameness but shared purpose."
"It was incredibly empowering to meet so many amazing people [through the competition] who are passionate about improving race relations and creating a more inclusive Aotearoa.
"It reminded me that I'm part of a wider movement for change, and that's been one of the most inspiring parts of this whole journey."
Nick Moss, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand, thanked all six finalists, noting the quality of every speech was "extraordinary".
"All the speeches aligned with the values we share - the unity of humankind," Moss said.
This article was first published by RNZ
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