A year 10 student at St Margaret's College in Christchurch has been crowned the New Zealand Spelling Bee champion for 2017.
Lucy Jessep was crowned the New Zealand Spelling Bee champion for 2017 after correctly spelling the word 'pusillanimous'. Photo: Supplied
Lucy Jessep triumphed over hundreds of students from more than 100 schools at the national final in Wellington this afternoon.
After Ms Jessep, who's a keen debater and linguist, took the title after correctly spelling the word 'pusillanimous'.
Pusillanimous means lacking courage and resolution.
She wins a trophy and $5000 towards her education.
The competition, which is now in its 13th year, is contested by year nine and 10 students around the country.
It begins with a written classroom test, which is followed by regional semi-finals around the country where the 200 best-performing students compete for one of 21 final spots.
Second place went to a year nine student at Marlborough Boys' College, George Turner.