St Kevin's College head boy Jibi Kunnethedam's speech, which detailed the World War 2 exploits of John Pohe, the first Maori pilot to serve in the war, was named runner-up in the competition's national finals in Wellington on Wednesday.
The 17-year-old will have to fly to Gallipoli to deliver his speech if the national winner was unable to attend.
He said it was the second time in two years that he had made the national finals, after winning the Otago-Southland regional section in consecutive years.
As a result of his winning the regional section, St Kevin's would receive a $1000 prize, he said.
However, not content with taking part in one national competition, Jibi flew straight from Wellington to Timaru to deliver an ''impromptu'' speech that landed him a place in the Race Unity Speech national finals, which will take place in Auckland on April 5.
He put his success at public speaking down to a love of talking and research.
''I have always been a big talker. I like talking and arguing, I'm a big debater and I'm unbeaten in debating in the Otago-Southland Bishop's Shield competition.
''I'm a bit of an academic as well, so I have always been researching and reading and learning about things.''
