When the world’s best young debaters gather in Kenya next week, two students from Tauranga will be among those representing New Zealand.
Tauranga Girls’ College student Pearl Vahey-Bourne, 17, and Tauranga Boys’ College head boy Oliver Larsen, 17, have been selected for the national team.
The selection follows their success at the New Zealand Schools’ Debating Championships in Wellington last month.
Oliver will captain the side at the World Schools Debating Championships, while Pearl joins him in a squad made up of New Zealand’s top five secondary school debaters.
Being held this year in Nairobi from July 14 to 24, the world championships attract more than 700 competitors, coaches and judges from more than 80 countries each year.
Pearl said being selected to represent New Zealand was “hard to comprehend”.
She first competed in Year 11 after joining her school’s team as a last-minute third member and said the experience inspired her to pursue debating more seriously.
“I’m still pretty new to debating in some ways, so I was pretty shocked to be selected. I didn’t expect it at all.”
The Bay of Plenty team was one of the standout performers at the national championships, making the top four.
Their run came to an end in the semi-finals, where they debated whether mineral-rich African states should form a collective bargaining cartel for critical minerals.
Pearl said the team remained undefeated through the preliminary rounds but were disappointed to fall short before the championship final.
“Especially to have beaten Otago twice already, but they’re such an amazing team and went on to win it.”
Pearl said she used to be “really shy”, but debating had helped build her confidence in public speaking.
Pearl Vahey-Bourne, 17, has been selected to represent New Zealand at the World Schools Debating Championships in Kenya. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell
“I’m a third speaker, so I speak last, and it’s mainly responsive, so I find that being able to think on my feet is pretty good.”
As she prepares for Kenya, Pearl said she was most looking forward to experiencing a large-scale international competition and, above all, immersing herself in African culture.
“I’m most nervous about the actual debating. Having to get up and talk in front of all these people who are obviously so talented, it’s terrifying.”
Tauranga Boys’ College head boy Oliver Larsen was selected as captain of the New Zealand team.
He has represented the Bay of Plenty for the past three years and was named as a reserve for the national team last year.
“Getting selected for the team was a goal of mine this year and taking that extra step of getting captain was pretty surreal.”
He said in the last couple of years, leadership had been his biggest strength.
“I’ve always been the second speaker, so I help our first speaker build their case and establish what we’re going to say.”
When asked what he loved most about debating, Oliver said the “arguing part was fun” but also the challenge of how to approach a topic.
He said teams often only have an hour to come up with a case to compete against some of the “smartest kids” in New Zealand – and now the world.
Oliver Larsen, 17, has been selected as the captain of the New Zealand team to compete at the World Schools Debating Championships in Kenya.
“I like being analytical. I find that it’s probably the most enjoyable part when you come up with a cool idea or a good response, so it’s just breaking it down and staying rational.”
Oliver said as he headed to Kenya, he was most looking forward to meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds who shared his interests.
“After doing debating for a while, you get familiar with topics so it’ll be cool now to understand the wider world perspectives.”
Tauranga Boys’ College principal Andrew Turner said the school was “really proud” of Oliver for pursuing his passion and earning the chance to represent New Zealand.
“He gets to lead the team and travel the world, I mean that’s got to be the ultimate story for any young person, that if you work hard, doors will open for you.”
Turner said he hoped the experience would help the students grow and challenge themselves in a field they were passionate about.
“I just think being able to get there, compete, test themselves, meet other young people their age, is going to be exciting for them.”
2026 New Zealand Schools Debating Team:
Oliver Larson (Bay of Plenty), Emily Roy (Otago), Cerisa Gu (Auckland), Pearl Vahey-Bourne (Bay of Plenty) and Michael Cash (Wellington).
Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.