Jack said he'd been in disbelief since he was announced the winner. "I was so nervous when they read out the winner, then I thought 'far out that's me'," he said.
"I was just in a dream, I couldn't believe it."
Last year he came second in the regional competition but this year "was in it to win it", he said.
About three days before regionals he learnt about a relative of his, Porokoru Patapu (John) Pohe, and of his bravery during World War II.
Learning about Pohe inspired him to change his speech at the last minute so he spent "almost every minute" in between sports sessions and classes rehearsing it.
"I think all my hard work has paid off. There's a saying that goes 'talent gets you to the door, but hard work will get you through it'."
