The RNZRSA honours the many students who enter the speech competition each year, acknowledging the tremendous courage and effort required to prepare and deliver a speech to national standards. We wish you all well in the future.

Past Winners

2011 Cervantee Wild Watch her speech	2010 Meaghan Li Watch her speech	2008 Raphael Mobegi Watch his speech

2007 Chloe Muggeridge	2006 Ereti Williams

Past Competitions

2011 2010 2008 2007 2006

2011
Winner - Cervantee Wild

Watch her speech
Read her blog

Cervantee Wild of Sacred Heart Girls’ College New Plymouth won The National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition 2011 in Wellington.

2011 Winner Cervantee Wild of Sacred Heart Girls' College New Plymouth with (L-R) Veterans' Affairs Minister Judith Collins, RNZRSA National President Don McIver and ANZ Managing Director Retail Kerri Thompson.

The announcement was made by Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins after the eight regional finalists delivered their speeches at the National War Memorial on 28 March.

As the official New Zealand Youth Representative, Cervantee travelled to Gallipoli with the New Zealand Defence contingent, attending the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove, and recited The Ode at the New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair.

Prior to her departure, she paid tribute to her fellow contestants and said it would be an “amazing honour’’ to be a New Zealand representative at Gallipoli.

RSA National President Don McIver was in awe of the talent and passion of the young finalists and said that Cervantee Wild was “an impressive young New Zealander” and brought home how connected young people are to our Anzac heritage.

ANZ New Zealand Managing Director Retail Kerri Thompson said the standard of speeches was impressive and a credit to the students and to their schools.

“Congratulations to Cervantee and to all the talented young finalists from around New Zealand who gave us speeches of such high calibre. The National Bank is immensely proud to be part of this competition in honour of Cyril Bassett VC who was one of hundreds of National Bank staff who served New Zealand overseas, many paying the ultimate sacrifice.”

In addition to travelling to Gallipoli with the New Zealand Defence contingent, Cervantee received $1,000 for travel expenses and a laptop and digital camera to record her experience.

Regional winners of The National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition won a National Bank account worth $1000, and youth RSA membership, while their school also received $1000.

Watch image slideshow from the 2011 competition.

The 2011 Regional Finalists were:

Click to watch their speech.

2010
Winner - Meaghan Li

Watch her speech
Read her blog

The National Final of The National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition 2010 was held at the National War Memorial, Buckle Street Wellington on 1 April 2010.

The winner was Meaghan Li of Macleans College Auckland whose speech was based on the Unknown Warrior, a New Zealand serviceman whose remains were repatriated from the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery on the Somme in France for burial in a new tomb at the National War Memorial in Wellington.

She said she was "speechless" at winning the competition and also paid tribute to her fellow competitors.

Meaghan Li, Macleans College

"I am just stoked. It's extremely humbling, and was not expected. It is an absolute honour considering those who spoke today. I'm pleased and proud to be representing New Zealand on this trip."

Veteran’s Affairs Minister Judith Collins announced Meaghan had won after the eight regional finalists delivered their speeches. 

RSA president Robin Klitscher was "dumbstruck" with the talent and said that Meaghan’s speech about the Unknown Warrior was excellent, and brought home how connected young people are to our Anzac Heritage.

"It will be a great pleasure to accompany Meaghan, an outstanding young New Zealander, to Gallipoli and I know that she will appreciate the significance of being there this Anzac Day."

ANZ New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Jenny Fagg said the standard of speeches was impressive and a credit to the students and to their schools.

"Congratulations to Meaghan and to all the talented young finalists from around New Zealand who gave us speeches of such high calibre. The National Bank is immensely proud to be part of this competition in honour of Cyril Bassett VC who was one of hundreds of National Bank staff who served New Zealand overseas, many paying the ultimate sacrifice."

Meaghan travelled to Gallipoli as an RSA representative on the official New Zealand delegation to Turkey for the 95th Commemoration of the Anzac Landings at Gallipoli.

Meaghan also received an additional $1,000 for travel expenses from The National Bank; a laptop and digital camera to record her experience. Read Meaghan's blog.

Regional winners of The National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition won a National Bank account worth $1000, and RSA youth membership, while their school received $1000 and a military history book.

All national finalists received media coverage of their win in their region, with the national final covered on TVNZ, TV3 and Maori TV. TVNZ featured national winner Meaghan Li in an Asia Downunder segment after her trip to Gallipoli where she described her experience in the competition and her trip. As a guest speaker at the Opening Ceremony of the RNZRSA National Council in October 2010, Meaghan presented her speech to 350 conference delegates, Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key, Governor General’s representative Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias, MPs and members of the Defence Corps. 

Radio New Zealand broadcast the National Finalist’s speeches throughout their Anzac Day broadcast in April 2010. Meaghan’s speech was aired on Maori Television during their Anzac Day broadcast, and a number of national finalists played a role in their local Anzac Day commemorations as representatives of the RSA.

The RNZRSA has received numerous requests for copies of Meaghan’s speech from teachers, veteran’s, servicemen and women, and members of the community both in New Zealand and overseas.

Click to watch image slideshow from the 2010 competition.

The 2010 Regional Finalists were:

Click to watch their speech.

2008
Winner - Raphael Mobegi

Watch his speech

The 2008 National Final was held in the Legislature Council Chamber, Parliament on Monday, 25 August 2008.

Raphael Mobegi Karamu High School, Hastings

The Winner was Raphael Mobegi of Karamu High School, Hastings, whose speech addressed the meaning of New Zealanders' service and sacrifice throughout our history, and paying special tribute to the memory of a New Zealand soldier in World War I who was killed trying to save a fellow soldier. In accepting the title, Raphael, who migrated to New Zealand from Kenya eighteen months earlier, expressed his delight but also how privileged he felt to be able to honour the memory of New Zealand service personnel.

In recognition of the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice, speechmakers were encouraged to embrace New Zealand’s contribution to the First World War, either in its totality or to profile an individual New Zealander’s experience, to examine its legacy or an aspect of its commemoration. The subject matter ‘New Zealanders at War – Honouring Their Service’ also enabled students to embrace New Zealanders who had served in any conflict overseas.

Each regional finalist was presented with $1,000 prize money, an engraved RNZRSA Plaque and a RSA Junior Membership Badge. Their respective schools each received a copy of The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History together with a cheque for $1,000. Raphael received a further $5,000 prize money as the winner of the RNZRSA National Secondary Schools Speech Competition Trophy for 2007. His school also received a further $1,000.

Runner up was Colleen Merrick of Garin College, Nelson and 3rd place went to Scott Summerfield, Ashburton College.

Raphael delivered his speech at the National Council Meeting in October 2008 as a special guest of the RNZRSA.

The 2008 Regional Finalists were:

2007
Winner - Chloe Muggeridge

The 2007 national final was held in the Legislature Council Chamber, Parliament on Wednesday, 5 September 2007.

Chloe Muggeridge New Plymouth Girls' High School

The winner was Chloe Muggeridge of New Plymouth Girls’ High School, speaking on the subject of the life and death of Lieutenant-Colonel William Malone on Chunuk Bair, Gallipoli, on 8 August 1915.

In recognition of the 90th Anniversary of Passchendaele, speechmakers were encouraged to embrace New Zealand’s contribution to this Campaign either in its totality or to profile an individual New Zealander’s experience, to examine the legacy of Passchendaele for New Zealand or an aspect of its commemoration. The subject matter ‘New Zealanders at War’ also enabled students to embrace New Zealanders who had served in any conflict overseas.

Each District Finalist was presented with $1,000 prize money, an engraved RNZRSA Plaque and a RSA Junior Membership Badge. Their respective schools each received a copy of the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History together with a cheque for $1,000. Chloe received a further $5,000 prize money as the winner of the RNZRSA National Secondary Schools Speech Competition Trophy for 2007. Her school also received a further $1,000.

Chloe delivered her speech at the National Council Meeting in October 2007 as a special guest of the RNZRSA.

RNZRSA thanks the Lion Foundation, Toastmasters NZ, all the contestants, their families and supporters at the regional and national finals for their involvement.

The 2007 Regional Finalists were:

2006
Winner - Ereti Williams

Ereti Williams Tauranga Girls' College

The RNZRSA National Secondary Schools Speech Competition Final, held at Parliament, and won by Ereti Williams, Tauranga Girls' College representing the Waikato – King Country – Bay of Plenty District, was summed up by the National President John Campbell in one word "Stunning!".

Ereti Williams won $5,000 and is the inaugural winner of the RNZRSA National Secondary Schools Speech Competition Trophy, to be competed for on an annual basis.

Each regional finalist was presented with $1000 and an inscribed 90th Anniversary Commemorative Plaque, an RSA Junior Membership Badge, and the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History for their school.

Ereti delivered her speech at the Formal Opening of the 2006 RNZRSA National Conference in front of the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and 500 delegates and guests as well as live on the Na Ratou, Mo Tatou Let's Honour Them Together Anzac Day Broadcast on Maori Television.

The RNZRSA thanks the Lion Foundation and all the contestants, family and supporters at the regional and national finals for their involvement.

The 2006 Regional Finalists were: