The Race Unity Speech Awards and the Race Unity Conference were initiated by the New Zealand Bahaâi community in 2001 and 2005 respectively.The Awards are sponsored by the New Zealand Police, the Human Rights Commission, the Hedi Moani Charitable Trust and the Office of Ethnic Communities and supported by NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils and Speech NZ.
The Speech Awards and Conference are primarily aimed at senior high school students in years 11, 12 and 13, but others who are interested are also welcome to attend. Although the topic varies from year to year, the theme is always around race. Students are given one or two quotes and several bullet points relating to the particular topic and asked to consider them when preparing their speeches.
Regional heats are held in 14 locations around the country and around 25 of the regional participants gather in Auckland for the national semi-finals and finals.
See www.raceunity.co.nz/ for further information.