Student debaters to ask if New Zealand needs Don Brash

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NZ’s top student debaters to ask if New Zealand needs Don Brash

Thirty six of New Zealand’s top secondary school debaters will gather in Wellington this weekend for the National Finals of the Russell McVeagh New Zealand Schools Debating Championships, hosted by Victoria University of Wellington.

The two best teams will meet in the Grand Final on Monday 30 May, debating "That New Zealand needs Don Brash"

Teams from Wellington, Auckland, Canterbury, Otago-Southland, Hawke’s Bay, Northland, Central North Island, Waikato and Kahurangi-Marlborough will take part in five preliminary rounds of debates over the weekend at Victoria University of Wellington’s Law School.

Students will only find out the topic and what side they are to argue one hour before the debate.

The Grand Final between the top two teams at the Championships will take place in the Legislative Council Chamber at Parliament on Monday 30 May at 10am, hosted by Hon Peter Dunne.

Christopher Bishop, the President of the New Zealand Schools’ Debating Council which organises the tournament, said that the final topic should make for a great debate.

"Dr Brash and his prescription for New Zealand has prompted a range of responses from both the left and right. It'll be fascinatig to see New Zealand's brightest young minds consider if we need him and his ideas or not", he said.

Wellington are the defending champions.

The best five speakers at the tournament will be named as members of the Russell McVeagh New Zealand Schools’ Debating Team and represent New Zealand the World Schools Debating Champs in Dundee, Scotland in August 2011, as well as South Africa in February 2012. New Zealand has won the World Champs four times since 1988.

The Russell McVeagh New Zealand Schools' Debating Championships have been held annually since 1988 and are recognised as the country's most prestigious school debating competition. The Championships are sponsored by Russell McVeagh and Victoria University of Wellington.

Members of the public and media are invited to watch the debating action at the Victoria University Law School this weekend. A full timetable of when and where the rounds are on can be found at www.debating.org.nz.

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