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2021 ESSAY COMPETITION
35 students have won prizes in the annual New Zealand Secondary Schools Essay Competition. This was jointly announced by the New Zealand High Commission, the Fiji Association in Auckland (Inc) and the Ministry of Education at a media conference. New Zealand High Commissioner, H.E. Ms. Charlotte Darlow congratulated winners on their achievements and thanked students for participating in the writing competition that helps broaden their learning and research skills. “Today we have come together to celebrate the achievements and talents of young Fijians, who have been so expressive in the way that they have explored the Fiji-New Zealand relationship in this year’s competition,” said Ms. Darlow. “The competition provides us with an opportunity to seek ideas and fresh thinking on various topics from Fiji’s leaders of tomorrow. It also provides a valuable opportunity to future influencers to understand the breadth and depth of New Zealand – Fiji relations.” Ms Darlow said the joint partnership between the High Commission and the Fiji Association started when the Fiji Association in Auckland mooted the idea marking commemoration for the 125th anniversary of the loss of the S S Syria near Suva in 2007. The High Commission is thankful to the Education Ministry for their continuous support for the competition. The Minister of Education, Hon Premila Kumar congratulated the winners and all students for passion for research, observation and expressing their thoughts through writing. In addressing students who were present at the function online the Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts said,” Some of you may have been through an extremely difficult experience at the height of the pandemic; many would have been struck by painstaking memories. But you have rebuilt and you have reconfigured your lives to ensure that you complete the journey you had embarked on last year. That in itself is sheer resilience”. The Minister commended the NZ High Commission and the Fiji Association in Auckland (Inc.) and the adjudicators for strong support towards Fijian children. “Such activities give our students opportunities outside of formal school work that help build that extra knowledge and skills which is so important in life,” she added. The 2021 essay topics focused on celebrating the 50th anniversary of Fiji’s independence and the 50th anniversary of Fiji-New Zealand diplomatic relations and exploring New Zealand-Fiji’s partnership and collaboration to combat COVID19. The competition adjudicators were Lady June Hillary, wife of the late Sir Edmund Hillary and Dr Satendra Singh, who was a foundation member of the Fiji Department of Foreign Affairs following independence in 1970. The 2022 topics are expected to be announced during Term 1 of the school year.
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