Krisha Karippail (Yr 13)

Thursday, 4th June 2026 at 7:45am

Congratulations to Krisha Karippail (Yr 13), who represented Auckland at the New Zealand Schools' Nationals Debate competition in Wellington (22 May).

Teams were selected at regional tournaments to represent each region at the National Finals of the New Zealand Schools’ Debating National Championships.

Krisha, along with fellow students Keya Parekh and Emma Goldstone, went to the Auckland Regional Championships in March as part of GBHS’s premier debate team, where Krisha’s outstanding performance left an impression on selectors who invited her to be part of the Auckland team at the National Finals.

As part of the newly formed ‘Auckland White’ team, Krisha received approximately 20 hours of coaching every week to prepare for the nationals, before flying to Wellington to go head-to-head against other regional teams from around New Zealand, across seven rounds of debate!

Krisha’s team won 5 of 7 debates, making it to the semi-finals and placing 3rd, before competing against another Auckland team, with Auckland White defeated by narrow loss.

“We still had an amazing time, though,” says Krisha, adding, “While we were there, we also got a tour of the Supreme Court, watched the Grand Finals in Parliament's Legislative Chamber, and met a Supreme Court Justice and several Ministers!”

“Overall, it was definitely an unforgettable experience that was a privilege to take part in, and I learned so much.”

Image: Krisha is pictured (front row, 2nd left) with Auckland representatives and coach at the New Zealand Schools' Nationals Debate competition, Wellington, May 2026.