The competition encourages young orators to stand tall by encouraging the development and confidence of Maori students in spoken English and Maori.
Te Tau Ihu iwi (top of the South Island tribes) are hosting the visitors over the next two days at various schools and marae in the region.
The national secondary school speech contest has been running for 47 years and is sponsored by the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association, including other funders.
The winners will be announced on Thursday.
