The NZIER National Secondary School Debating Championships were held in Wellington across the weekend. The final was held in Parliament’s old Upper House - the Legislative Chamber.
The final was a showdown between Wellington Black: Julia Randerson (Wellington High School), Benjamin Penno (Hutt International Boys' School), and Tony Huang (Onslow College); and the Hawkes Bay team with Edward Brougham (Lindisfarne College), Keelan Heesterman (Karamu High School), and Emilie Horsfall (Havelock North High School).
The winners: Wellington Black. A Wellington team (either Black or Gold) have won this championship for seven of the last nine years.
First up for the affirmative, Benjamin Penno (Hutt International Boys' School) enumerates his points. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Julia Randerson looks skyward for inspiration as she collects telling points for her speech, the team mascot does likewise. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Edward Brougham (Lindisfarne College) slaps away an interjection Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Mid debate, Julia Randerson settles Tony Huang Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Emilie Horsfall (Havelock North High School) shares a rebuttal idea with Keelan Heesterman Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Julia Randerson (Wellington High School) seen remonstrating through the 'port hole' of the Legislative Chamber's doors Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Julia Randerson (Wellington High School) in supplication mode Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Edward Brougham raises a point with the current speaker, while Keelan Heesterman preps. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Keelan Heesterman (Karamu High School) puts that extra prep into action. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
All the while, in a shadowy back corner, the judges... judge. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Tony Huang (Onslow College) at the podium leading into a joke Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Emilie Horsfall rebuts an argument in the 'really, you think what?!' mode. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Emilie Horsfall (Havelock North High School) sneaks in a clever point Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Edward Brougham (Lindisfarne College) Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
The Wellington Black team lucky mascot guards their desk Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
President of the Court of Appeal, Stephen Kos talks about the aid debating gives to careers in the 'Temples of the Voice' (Parliament & the courts). Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Wellington Black's Julia Randerson take the champions trophy from President Kos. Tony Huang and Benjamin Penno look on. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Chris Bishop poses for a photo with Tony Huang and speaking trophy. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
A most promising speaker winner looks at the names of former winners hers will join. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Keelan Heesterman (Karamu High School) holds the New Zealand Universities' Trophy won by the Hawkes Bay Team Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
Debates create a lot of hastily scribbled notes Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
