Two venues were running - inside Ihenga meeting house at Tangatarua Marae and in a lecture theatre - to get through the entries in the four categories of junior and senior Maori and English.
Nervous students could be seen pacing outside the venues waiting for their turns to deliver their speeches in front of three judges, their peers and teachers.
Some had grabbed quiet spots outside to practise their lines one last time while others were straightening their uniforms and taking deep breaths.
For the Te Arawa region, the stakes were particularly high because orators had always been of a high standard, according to judge Tukiterangi Curtis.
He said the standard was where it should be and teachers were doing a good job.
"Our language is in safe hands."
He said most of the competitors were aged between 14 and 16 and were taking a plunge in an arena that had high expectations.
He said one area that could be worked on for some students was the delivery.
"A little bit more confidence and patience . . . but it's easy for me to say that because I am an adult . . . As much as I say there needs to be improvement [in confidence] they are doing a fine job."
Manu Korero Waiariki rohe delegate from Rotorua Boys High School, Kimiora Webster, said it was pleasing to see the number of entries being maintained. The challenge was now to grow it in future years.
Both he and Rotorua Lakes High School careers head of department Pani McLean said kura kaupapa Maori students were leading the way with their te reo skills.
John Paul College Year 11 student Maia Berryman-Kamp, 15, competed in the senior English competition for the first time and said it was a good experience.
"It's a good chance to get my opinions out there."
She said a lot of work went into her speech.
"I wrote the speech, read it, read it again and recorded myself saying it."
Taupo Nui-a Tia student Nathanial Solomon, 14, said his speech, about fluency being the cornerstone of Maori culture, encouraged people to respect the Maori language and embrace it.
He said he had been rehearsing his speech regularly in his room since the end of the last school holidays.
The winners in each of the categories will compete in the national competition in New Plymouth in September.
Schools competing in Te Arawa's Nga Manu Korero 2017
Rotorua Boys High School
Rotorua Girls High School
Rotorua Lakes High School
Western Heights High School
John Paul College
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Koutu
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hurungaterangi
Taupo Nui-a-Tia
FULL RESULTS:
JUNIOR & SENIOR MAORI SPEECH RESULTS:
Placing, section, name, school
3rd, Te Rawhiti Ihaka (Junior Maori), Ihaka Ashby, Hurungaterangi
2nd, Te Rawhiti Ihaka (Junior Maori), Kahotea Gardiner, Te Koutu
1st, Te Rawhiti Ihaka (Junior Maori), Te Whatukura Mohi, Raukura
3rd, Pei Te Hurinui Jones (Senior Maori) Prepared, Kiriwaitingi Rei, Te Koutu
2nd, Pei Te Hurinui Jones (Senior Maori) Prepared, Rehua Selwyn, Raukura
1st, Pei Te Hurinui Jones (Senior Maori) Prepared, Mokonuiarangi Edmonds-Rangitauira, Ruamata
3rd, Pei Te Hurinuui Jones (Senior Maori) Impromptu, Mokonuiarangi Edmonds-Rangitauira, Ruamata
2nd, Pei Te Hurinuui Jones (Senior Maori) Impromptu, Rehua Selwyn, Raukura
1st, Pei Te Hurinuui Jones (Senior Maori) Impromptu, Kiriwaitingi Rei, Te Koutu
Kiriwaitingi Rei,Te Koutu
2nd=, Pei Te Hurinui Jones
Overall, Mokonuiarangi Edmonds-Rangitauira, Ruamata
1st, Pei Te Hurinui Jones
Overall, Rehua Selwyn, Raukura
JUNIOR & SENIOR ENGLISH SPEECH RESULTS:
Placing, section, name, school
3rd, Sir Turi Carroll (Junior English), Te Tuhiwhakauraoterangi Ihakara, Ruamata
2nd, Sir Turi Carroll (Junior English), Te Horowai Mapapalangi, Te Koutu
1st, Sir Turi Carroll (Junior English), Manaia Lewis-Wano, Nga Kohine
2nd=, Korimako (Senior English) Prepared, Te Aumihi Hohepa, Ruamata
2nd=, Korimako (Senior English) Prepared, Shanayla Barrett, Western Heights
1st, Korimako (Senior English) Prepared, Anipatene Biddle, Te Koutu
3rd, Korimako (Senior English) Impromptu, Anipatene Biddle, Te Koutu
2nd, Korimako (Senior English) Impromptu, Shanayla Barrett, Western Heights
1st, Korimako (Senior English) Impromptu, Maia Berryman-Kamp, John Paul
3rd, Korimako (Senior English) Overall, Te Aumihi Hohepa, Ruamata
2nd, Korimako (Senior English) Overall, Anipatene Biddle, Te Koutu
1st, Korimako (Senior English) Overall, Shanayla Barrett, Western Heights
