Celebrate Pacific voices, language, culture, and confidence at the Pasifika Speech and Languages Competition 2026.
The Pasifika Speech and Languages Competition brings together Pacific secondary students to speak with pride, courage, and purpose. Students share speeches in Pacific languages and English, celebrating identity, learning, and NCEA success in a supportive community setting.
Join us on Friday 26 June 2026 at St Peters in the City, Tauranga, or follow the event online through the live stream rooms.
Event details:
Date: Friday 26 June 2026
Venue: St Peters in the City, 130 Spring Street, Tauranga 3110
Registrations: 9:00am
Start time: 9:30am
Finish time: 2:30pm
Live stream: Available online
Choose your live stream:
Auditorium Stream
Opening, Pacific Speeches, English Impromptu, Prize Giving, and Closing.
Link: https://pasifikainthebay.co.nz/auditorium-live-stream/
Hall Stream
English Speeches.
Link: https://pasifikainthebay.co.nz/hall-live-stream/
The Pasifika Speech and Languages Competition is a celebration of Pacific identity, language, and student achievement. It gives students the opportunity to stand with confidence, speak from their culture, and share their voice with family, schools, and the wider community.
The competition supports language learning, cultural pride, public speaking, and NCEA achievement. It is also a space where students are encouraged by their peers, teachers, families, and community leaders.
Key highlights:
– Pacific language speeches
– English speeches
– English impromptu speeches
– Opportunities to support NCEA evidence
– Community celebration of Pacific culture and student success
– Live stream access for online audiences
A platform for celebrating the rich diversity of Pacific languages and cultures, fostering pride and appreciation among participants and spectators.
Showcasing Pacific languages contributes to the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages, helping to ensure language survival for future generations.
Students challenge themselves to overcome obstacles and achieve their academic goals.
Students actively engage with their language studies, leading to improved language proficiency and academic performance.
The competition brings together students from diverse backgrounds and communities, facilitating cultural exchange and fostering understanding and appreciation of different Pacific cultures.







Expect a day of courage, culture, and celebration. Students will present prepared speeches, take part in English speech categories, and share powerful moments of learning and identity.
The Auditorium will host the Opening, Pacific Speeches, English Impromptu, Prize Giving, and Closing.
The Hall will host the English Speeches.
Supporters can attend in person or follow the event online through the livestream pages.
All speeches are 2 minutes unless you have to satisfy NCEA requirements, then they can be up to 4 minutes.
So far, students have entered into the following sections: Tongan; Samoan; Kiribati; Cook Islands and Fijian. We can’t wait to include more students and more languages.
OF COURSE! We welcome parents and guardians to join in the celebration.
This is a warm Pacific invitation to all Pacific secondary students who share our passion for preserving and celebrating indigenous languages! Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or new to the stage, we welcome you to join our competition that is dedicated to fostering cultural heritage and NCEA academic excellence!

Mel is the chairperson of the Pasifika in the Bay Trust. She loves all things Pacific, in particular working with amazing people to initiate and deliver successful Pacific programmes and events. Mel enjoys her dream job, reading, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, travelling with friends and family, and is adamant to snowboard until she can’t. She is currently thinking about taking up golf.

Mel is the chairperson of the Pasifika in the Bay Trust. She loves all things Pacific, in particular working with amazing people to initiate and deliver successful Pacific programmes and events. Mel enjoys her dream job, reading, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, travelling with friends and family, and is adamant to snowboard until she can’t. She is currently thinking about taking up golf.

Alva is the Treasurer of the Pasifika in the Bay Trust with over eighteen years of experience as a business owner in the financial services industry. Together with her husband Alex, they’ve raised three high achieving young adults. Alva is passionate about supporting and empowering young people to reach their full potential. Alva loves playing board games, spending time with family and friends, baking, cooking and makes a mean chop suey.

Annette is the Secretary for Pasifika in the Bay Trust and hails from the islands of Samoa and Tokelau, with German ancestry. She is a trained Primary School Teacher, with a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in Marketing, and recently completed her Masters in Education. Her passion is to actively seek new ways to support Pacific people and is excited about creating her own opportunities. She enjoys catching up with family and friends, arts and crafts and loves the outdoors.
