View The Conference Programme Here
Download Conference Booklet Here
We work
better together
Yes Minister!
District 72
Conference 2025
The 2025 District 72 Conference will be held in Wellington on the weekend of Fri 9th May – Sun 11th May 2025. The venue is the illustrious Parliament Buildings, including the Legislative Council Chamber, Great Hall, and Select Committee Room.
Leading the way is a dedicated team of Wellingtonian Toastmasters, committed to making this the best conference you’ve ever attended. The team’s vision is “to have the conference at Parliament, which will be a unique and enriching experience for members. Holding the conference at Parliament will highlight the connection between the ability to communicate effectively and the ability to effect changes for the better in any field of endeavour.”
9 – 11 May 2025
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Important Update About Online Attendance:
Due to insufficient demand and high equipment costs, the Conference Committee has decided, in consultation with the District Trio, that online attendance will not be available for this conference. This will be an in-person event only.
Conference Essentials:
- No conference sessions Friday 9 May.
- First function is the Friday night Candidates’ Showcase & Entertainment at the Atura Hotel.
- Saturday 10 May will be a full day of sessions!
- Dine and Dance will be held Saturday night at the Atura Hotel, Thorndon. The theme will be Black and White.
- Sunday 11 May will be a half day, with the conference closing at approximately 2:30pm.
- International, Evaluation and Table Topics Contents will be held in person only.
- The inaugural District 72 Online Contest will be held on the evening of 8 May 2025, with the results replayed during the conference.
- The Atura Hotel has an accommodation deal in place for us (15% off regular room rate)
Last updated 10 April 2025
A weekend of Toastmasters
Keynote Speakers
Educationals
Contests
Networking
Entertainment
2025 Conference Committee from left to right: Pauline Cook (Secretary), Sheryl Ryan (Treasurer), Roger Hynd (Chair), Sarah Li (Registrar)
Starting in
Programme
Thursday 8 May 2025
Evening (TBA) Online Speech Contest
Friday 9 May 2025
17:00 Candidates’ Show case, Atura Hotel
18:00 Entertainment / Welcome gathering, Atura Hotel
Saturday 10 May 2025
07:00 Table Topics/Evaluation Contestants’ Sound Check
07:00 Doors Open / Registration Desk Opens
08:30 Opening Ceremony
09:00 Workshops:
(1) Comedy is Therapy: How to get a Chuckle out of Life
(2) Creating a Culture of Success
(3) How to Bring Out the Best in Anybody – The Fine Art of Empathetic Conversations
09:45 Keynote Speaker, International President Radhi Spear DTM
10:30 Morning tea
10:45 Table Topics Contest (8 Contestants)
11:45 Lunch
12:45 District Council Meeting
15:45 Afternoon Tea
16:00 Evaluation Contest (8 Contestants)
17:00 Contest Results (Online, Table Topics, Evaluation)
17:30 MC Notices and Closing
19:00 Dine and Dance, Pinning Ceremony
Sunday 11 May 2025
07:30 Registration Desk opens
07:30 International Speech Contest Sound Check
09:15 Welcome and Intro of Contest Chair
09:30 International Speech Contest (8 Contestants)
11:00 Keynote Speaker, David Downs
11:40 Morning Tea
12:05 District Awards
12:30 Debate with International President Radhi Spear, DTM
13:15 Workshops:
(1) Comedy is Therapy: How to get a Chuckle out of Life
(2) Creating a Culture of Success
(3) How to Bring Out the Best in Anybody – The Fine Art of Empathetic Conversations
14:00 International Speech Contest Results
14:30 Conference close
A Unique Location
Parliament Buildings
The New Zealand Parliament Buildings are an iconic symbol of the country’s democratic governance and architectural diversity. The complex includes the historic Parliament House, designed in the 19th century and featuring an elegant neo-Classical style, alongside the striking Beehive building, completed in 1981, known for its distinctive, modernist design. The Parliament precinct also includes the Parliamentary Library, an example of Gothic architecture, and beautifully landscaped grounds.
Wellington
The capital city of New Zealand is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture. Nestled between rugged hills and a picturesque harbor, it offers a unique blend of urban life and outdoor adventure. The city boasts a lively arts community, with numerous galleries, theaters, and the national museum, Te Papa, showcasing the country’s rich history and heritage.
Keynote Speakers
Radhi Spear
We are excited to announce that this year’s conference will be attended by Toastmasters International President, Radhi Spear! Throughout the weekend, she will be giving a keynote speech, running an educational workshop and taking some time to get to know the members. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet one of the key figures in our organisation!
David Downs
David has had a successful career in the private and public sector and is now CEO of The New Zealand Story, an ambitious government-funded organisation marketing New Zealand to the world. He also acts as a consultant and is a director on several boards, including as Chair of The Icehouse, and the Hi-Tech Trust. David is an ex-comedian, TV and radio actor, semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year, cancer survivor and a published author of the books No.8 Re-wired, No.8 Recharged, A Mild Touch of the Cancer, and Silver Linings. David is the Ambassador for the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and a living example of the effectiveness of advanced Cancer treatment – CAR T-Cell Therapy.
Why David?
The theme of the 2025 Conference is We Work Better Together. David’s career is a pristine example of the power of networking, of finding connections and building amazing success. Even the fact that he is still with us is a result of his reaching out and taking part in a trial of an advanced cancer treatment.
Dine and Dance Theme
Accomodation Deal
The Atura Hotel has an accommodation deal in place for us. Click on the link below to access 15% off regular room rates.
FAQ
Please use the new bank account information provided in the registration form. The details have been updated.
Please write your full name as the reference.
It typically takes three weeks for us to reconcile your payment and send your confirmation. If you haven’t received it after two weeks, please contact us.
For any registration changes, please send an email to toastmastersd72conference2025@gmail.com
Your partner will need to complete a separate registration form due to Parliament’s security requirements. If they are not a member of Toastmasters, they should fill out the non-member form.
If your partner is only attending the Friday entertainment or Saturday dinner, you can tick the additional option in the registration form and invite them to fill out the non-member form. We are required to collect their information, including details for dietary requirement.
Contestants in the District Contest are eligible for the Backbencher price ($195) for full conference. If only staying for one day of the conference, contestants will receive 20% off the price (pay $80). Contestants do not need to pay if they are only attending their own contest and are not participating in any other event.
Only contestants in the District Contest can bring a supporter. The supporter’s name must be provided according to Parliament’s security requirements.
More Info
More information will be posted on this page as it becomes available. If you have any questions, please contact Roger Hynd at:
conference.d72@toastmasters.org.nz
A Journey Through Time
Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua
I walk backwards into the future
with my eyes fixed on my past
D72 Conference
3 - 5 May 2024
Tūhura Otago Museum, Ōtepoti Dunedin
Members of the Public
Grow confidence and self-belief
Overcome your fear of public speaking
Think fast on your feet
Feel relaxed answering questions on the spot
Master storytelling
Learn how to engage and captivate your audience
Impact your community
Meet and bring people together
Entrepreneurs and Professionals
Practice delivering pitches
Develop clear and effective communication
Ace interviews
Learn to be articulate and illustrate your knowledge
Lead and inspire team members
Build confidence delivering instructions and motivation
Network with professionals
Improve your ability to meet and engage new contacts
Why Toastmasters?
Full Support and Mentorship
Supportive Peer Learning
Self-paced Learning Programme
Club Leadership Roles
How to Join
Find a club
Find Toastmasters clubs near you by visiting Find a Club in the Menu.
Pay them a visit
Contact local clubs or just turn up and see which one suits you best. All guests are welcome.
Become a member
Return a completed membership form with the one-off joining fee and subscription fee. *Fees vary from club to club.
Give your Icebreaker
When signed up and ready you break the ice by delivering your first speech - the Icebreaker.
Find your voice today
What happens at a Club Meeting?
Hear Jayden from Nga Manu Reo Club walk you through what happens at a typical Toastmasters meeting.
Prepared Speeches
Delivering prepared speeches allows the speaker to gain valuable experience and get "stage time." At the same time, the audience can be informed, inspired and often entertained. Come and share your ideas, opinions, stories or practice for that wedding, workplace presentation or simply build your self-confidence.
Impromptu Speeches
Impromptu Speaking is creating speeches or answer questions "off the cuff" without time to prepare. Often humorous, Toastmasters' Table Topics teaches members to think on their feet and learn how to stay calm and think while communicating clearly and confidently.
Encouraging Evaluations
All speaking and leadership roles receive an evaluation. This is an opportunity to learn from others' experience and discover blind spots as well as acknowledge your strengths and get tips on how to improve. Giving and receiving feedback is a valuable skill with many practical uses at home, sport or at work.
Become a confident communicator
Toastmasters is excellent value for money.
Membership is usually less than the price of a coffee per week and offers the following benefits:
- Improved public speaking and leadership skills
- Greater self-confidence and self-awareness
- Personal and professional growth
- Networking with new people and potential friends
- Regular 1-2 hour meetings
- Learn in a safe, supportive and friendly environment
- Regular encouragement and constructive feedback
- ‘Pathways’ Online Learning Experience
- Access to comprehensive Members Resources
*Fees vary from club to club depending on services and facilities
remember the past
Since 1905
Toastmasters began as a series of speaking clubs organized by Ralph C. Smedley during his time working for the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) in Bloomington, Illinois, United States. As director of education at the YMCA, Smedley saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees, and he wanted to help them.
Smedley decided to organize a club where they could learn these skills in a social environment, and the men responded well to the concept. He named the group the Toastmasters Club; “toastmaster” was a popular term that referred to a person who gave toasts at banquets and other occasions.
The first unofficial Toastmasters meeting was held on March 24, 1905. Much like Toastmasters meetings today, the participants took turns leading and speaking at each meeting. Smedley and the older, more experienced men evaluated short speeches, while the younger men were invited to join in the evaluations. However, as Smedley was offered positions at other YMCAs in Illinois and later, in San Jose, California, the fledgling clubs lacked leadership and did not flourish.
Impromptu Speeches
Impromptu Speaking is creating speeches or answer questions "off the cuff" without time to prepare. Often humorous, Toastmasters' Table Topics teaches members to think on their feet and learn how to stay calm and think while communicating clearly and confidently.
Encouraging Evaluations
All speaking and leadership roles receive an evaluation. This is an opportunity to learn from others' experience and discover blind spots as well as acknowledge your strengths and get tips on how to improve. Giving and receiving feedback is a valuable skill, with many practical uses at home, sport or at work.
Prepared Speeches
Delivering prepared speeches allows you to gain valuable experience and get "stage time." At the same time, the audience can be informed, inspired and often entertained. Come and share your ideas, opinions, stories or practice for that wedding, workplace presentation or simply build your self-confidence.
Pay Them a Visit
Contact local clubs or just turn up and see which one suits you best. All guests are welcome.
Become a Member
Return a completed membership form with the one-off joining fee and subscription fee.
Deliver a Speech!
When signed up and ready you break the ice by delivering your first speech – the Icebreaker.
Find a Club
Find Toastmasters clubs near you by visiting Find a Club in the Menu.
Pay Them a Visit
Contact local clubs or just turn up and see which one suits you best. All guests are welcome.
Become a Member
Return a completed membership form with the one-off joining fee and subscription fee.
Deliver a Speech!
When signed up and ready, you break the ice by delivering your first speech – the Icebreaker.
