WSDC 1994: New Zealand
Organising Committee

The New Zealand Debating Council

The New Zealand Debating Council organises the ANZ Bank New Zealand Schools Debating Championships.  These begin with a series of regional competitions, from which teams are selected to take part in the National Championships weekend which is held in Wellington in August each year.

The Council also organises the Trans Tasman Challenge which is the symbol of Trans-Tasman supremacy in schools debating.  The Australian Schools Debating Team successfully toured New Zealand in 1992 to packed school halls in a five test series against the New Zealand Schools Debating Team.  New Zealand has, as of 1994, twice won the World Schools Debating Championships (1990 and 1991).

The Committee

Rosemary Dixon
President of the New Zealand Schools Debating Council, a member of the World Schools body and previous coach of the New Zealand team.  A teacher and communications trainer, now studying law.

Liz Bowen-Clewley
Coach of the New Zealand team at the fifth Worlds, also formerly a member of the New Zealand (adult) team, and an organiser of school debating in Wellington.  A former teacher, now an educational adviser.

Philippa Doyle
A public servant, a top rank adult debater, who has been involved in many schools debating competitions.

Alexandra Gillespie
A university student who was a member of the New Zealand team which won the World Championships in London.

Mary Houston
A school teacher and debating coach in Wellington.

Iain Rennie
An economist with the New Zealand Treasury, formerly an adviser to the Prime Minister, and currently captain of the New Zealand (adult) team.

Richard Suhr
A university student who was a member of the New Zealand teams which won the World Championships in London and Edinburgh.

John Bishop
Runs a public relations company in Wellington.  He has been captain of the New Zealand (adult) debating team, and has been involved with schools debating for many years.

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