1 Jun 2021

Debate Champs at Parliament

From The House , 6:55 pm on 1 June 2021

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.

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.

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

Edward Brougham (Lindisfarne College) slaps away an interjection Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith

Mid debate, Julia Randerson settles Tony Huang

Mid debate, Julia Randerson settles Tony Huang Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith

Emilie Horsfall (Havelock North High School) shares a rebuttal idea with Keelan Heesterman

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

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

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.

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.

Keelan Heesterman (Karamu High School) puts that extra prep into action. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith

In a shadowy corner the judges... judge.

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

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.

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

Emilie Horsfall (Havelock North High School) sneaks in a clever point Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith

Edward Brougham (Lindisfarne College)

Edward Brougham (Lindisfarne College) Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith

The Wellington Black team lucky mascot guards their desk

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Debates create a lot of hastily scribbled notes Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith

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