Nga Tawa's Lydia Whyte, Amelia Bryant and Lilli Bradley were crowned winners of the Central North Island (CNI) debating competition held March 17-18.

They competed in six limited prep debates, the topics ranging from abolishing the minimum wage to exempting developing countries for climate change obligations. In a very close final debate with the Palmerston North Girls High School team, Nga Tawa won the competition affirming the grand final moot 'This house believes that only LGBT+ actors should play LGBT+ characters in TV and film.'

Teacher in Charge of Debating, Alec Benson, said it was an incredibly challenging experience for the girls and he was very proud of them. "They were fantastic in all of their debates and had lots of fun. It was such a buzz to be crowned the winners," he said.

To top off their success, team member Lydia Whyte was named in the Central North Island Regional team who will be debating at the National Finals in Wellington in May.

(image:Debaters Amelia Bryant, Lydia Whyte and Lilli Bradley)