We were royally welcomed by staff and students at Kerikeri High School and spent an enjoyable day debating against their four teams (including two extras from Huanui College) in a sort of mini-tournament. The honours were shared fairly evenly, but the main outcome was a lot of fun, and some very good debating experience.
Moots for these debates ranged from serious ('This House would force New Zealand to accept climate change refugees') to light-hearted ('This House regrets the rise of Donald Trump'). Our top team, consisting of Michael Daya-Winterbottom, Geneva Roy, Joshua Grant and Benjamin Flacks, was undefeated, both at Kerikeri and in a debate with Orewa College the next day.
All in all, it was an excellent weekend, helped in no small measure by some outstanding weather, and a fantastic stay in a Paihia motel. We have agreed with our friends in Kerikeri that a re-match should definitely be on the cards.
