Auckland debaters make their mark in Vietnam

The University of Auckland Debating Society had a stellar performance at the World University Debating Championship in Ho Chi Minh over the new year.

The event, the world's largest and most prestigious debate tournament, attracts thousands of competitors worldwide, and the Auckland contingent, which included four teams, three institutional judges, an invited adjudicator and a chief adjudicator, showcased exceptional talent and determination.

"It's a very competitive event, and I was so proud of all our debaters," says fifth-year law student and debate society president Melissa Connolly.

"Our commerce and global studies student Aisha O'Malley and law and arts student Grace Baylis were the sole New Zealand team in the final knockout rounds at worlds and Grace was the first ever Māori woman to reach the knockout rounds."

Among the 600 participants, Grace and Aisha were also recognised as top 50 speakers, which contributed to their success.

"Grace and Aisha trained and upskilled for months leading up to the competition and entered as the top-ranked Auckland University team," says Melissa. "They placed 23rd of the 48 teams that moved ahead from 300; it's an outstanding achievement."

The other Auckland teams, Auckland B (Harry Aickin and Harper Smith), Auckland D (James Boland and Valentino Tew), and Auckland C (Mannat Kaur and Robert Donohoe), narrowly missed the finals but showcased exceptional skill and potential.

Melissa says the squad's success was made possible by ongoing funding, ensuring talented debaters, especially those facing financial barriers, could participate.

"The experience gained by our debaters is invaluable, not only in terms of honing their debating skills but also in preparing them for future leadership roles.

"Sending a strong squad to worlds each year has earned the University an excellent reputation and ensures we consistently remain competitive against prestigious institutions such as Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard."