Maria Ilalio has won the National FAGASA Samoan speech competition for Year 9 students in Wellington. 

The talented Marian College student was the first in the competition to take the stage and competed against four others in the Year 9 category. 

Maria says she was excited to win the prestigious trophy.

"I wasn't really nervous and now I'm just so happy," she says.

Fifty students from all around New Zealand from all year levels traveled to Wellington last week to compete.

FAGASA (Fa’alapotopotoga mo le Aoaoina o le Gagana Samoa i Aotearoa) is a national organisation which supports Samoan language in New Zealand.

Congratulations Maria - this is a wonderful achievement! 

Article added: Tuesday 07 August 2018