Transition Site
This webpage has been set up as a central source of information for the reunification of District 72 and District 112.
Throughout this process, we will post information here that is relevant to the transition, such as reports and registration information for business meetings.
The new District 72 boundaries will come into effect from 1 July 2026.
Overview
What is happening?
In December 2025, the Toastmasters International Board of Directors voted to realign District 72, District 112, and selected South Pacific Island clubs into one newly aligned District 72.
From 1 July 2026, all clubs in New Zealand, along with Capital Toastmasters Suva (Fiji), will form the newly aligned District 72.
District realignment is part of Toastmasters International’s review of District boundaries to ensure strong, sustainable leadership structures that best support members and clubs. Learn more about the global District Realignment process in the link below.
New District alignment begins:
Transition Governance and Key Roles
The transition to the newly aligned District 72 is being coordinated by the Group Transition Chair, with key transition work delivered through the District Transition Committee (DTC), District Leadership Committee (DLC), and District Alignment Committee (DAC).
Each committee has a defined role to ensure the transition is structured, transparent, and focused on long-term District strength
The Group Transition Chair ensures a smooth, supported and well-coordinated transition by:
- Appointing key transition roles
- Overseeing Transition Business Meetings
- Providing guidance and oversight
- Monitoring timelines and progress
- Coordinating stakeholder communication
The Group Transition Chair is a member of the Region 8–14 Transition Steering Committee.
This role is being undertaken by Kaylene Ledgar PRA.
This Committee will review current District operations and develop recommendations to shape the newly aligned District, combining the strengths of both Districts with sound practices to support leaders, members, and future growth.
Committee Structure
- Led by the District Transition Committee Chair
- Representatives from transitioning Districts
Note: Recommendations are reviewed by the Trio elect before the final Transition Committee Report is confirmed.
This committee is being chaired by Wendy Wickcliffe PDD.
This Committee identifies and nominates candidates to serve as District leaders for the newly aligned District.
Committee Structure:
- Led by the District Leadership Committee Chair
- Each Division within the transitioning Districts is represented
Roles Nominated: District Director, Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director and Division Directors
Note: Some Division Director roles may be impacted by proposed alignment changes. Candidates will be advised if impacted.
This committee is being chaired by Celina Templeman PDD.
The Committee reviews and proposes alignment of clubs, Areas and Divisions within the newly realigned District boundaries.
The aim is to strengthen the District structure to better support clubs and leaders, and to create sustainable Areas and Divisions for the future.
Committee Structure
- Led by the District Alignment Committee Chair
- Division Directors from the transitioning Districts
This committee is being chaired by James Hippolite PDD.
Business Meeting
Newly Aligned District Business Meeting
This is a joint Business Meeting for District Council members from District 72, District 112 and Capital Toastmasters Suva (Fiji).
District Council members include:
- Club Presidents and Vice Presidents Education from all clubs, and
- Members of the District Executive Committees from both transitioning Districts.
At this meeting, District Council members will:
- Vote on the proposed alignment of clubs, Areas, and Divisions, and
- Elect the 2026–2027 District Leaders for the newly aligned District.
Meeting date: 19 April 2026 (online)
Meeting starts: 10:30 am NZT / Fiji time (UTC+12)
Zoom room opens: 10 am NZT / Fiji time (UTC+12)
This meeting will be chaired by David Templeman PID.
Note: Each District will still hold its own District Council Meeting at its Conference in May. These meetings will not include alignment decisions or elections for the newly aligned District.
Business meeting starting in:
Information on how to register and vote will be posted here soon!
Votapex Training
Votapex is the system that we will use to vote during the Trasitional Business Meeting. To support members using Votapex, training will be provided.
Training date and time: 9 April 2026 (online) at 8 PM NZT / Fiji Time (UTC+12)
Training link: http://fdnet.work/votapex-training
Training starts in:
Documents
District Alignment Committee Reports
The District Alignment Committee will review the best way to structure the District for the 2026 – 2027 programme year.
Below is the proposal presented to the Town Hall meeting on 18 February 2026. To watch the recording of the Town Hall meeting, use the password Z!ENi8#b
The report from the District Alignment Committee is also now available. This report reflects the Committee’s view of the best alignment to support both current needs and long-term sustainability in the newly aligned District.
If you have any questions related to the District Alignment, please reach out to your Division Director, who is part of the District Alignment Committee.
The next step in the process is the Newly Aligned District Business Meeting, where District Council members will vote on the proposed club, Area, and Division alignment and elect the 2026–2027 District leaders.
District Leadership Committee Report
During February, the District Leadership Committee interviewed candidates for the 2026/2027 District Leadership Roles. The outcome of this process is available in the DLC report below.
Roles that did not reach the minimum number of nominations are now open to floor candidates. Floor candidates must notify the Group Transition Chair via transition.chair@toastmasters.org.nz, of their intent to run from the floor 7 days before the District Council Meeting at 10.30am on 19th April 2026, as per Protocol 9. 11. D. I. Cut-off date and time for this notification is 10.30am on 12th April 2026.
Floor candidates who want to be in the pre-recorded Candidate Showcase on 4th April 2026, need to submit their intent to run by 31st March 2026. The recording of the Candidate Showcase will be published on 12th April 2026.
Leadership Candidates
Below are the declared candidates for the 2026/2027 District Leadership roles. These roles will be voted on during the Transition Business Meeting on Sunday 19 April 2026 at 10:30am.
Mark Tweedale DTM has been a dedicated member of Toastmasters since February 2012, developing his leadership and communication skills while actively serving his clubs and District. Over the years, he has held most club officer roles, gaining a broad understanding of club operations and member development.
Beyond the club level, Mark has served as both an Area Director and Division Director, supporting multiple clubs and helping strengthen leadership across the district. He later progressed in the District Executive Committee, serving as Club Growth Director and subsequently Program Quality Director for District 112.
Through these roles, Mark has focused on supporting member development, strengthening clubs, and helping leaders succeed. He is passionate about the Toastmasters mission, helping others to develop and grow and values the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and success of our soon to be combined District.
Sandeep Kinge joined Toastmasters in April 2013 in Navi Mumbai, India, beginning a global journey of leadership and growth. He later became an active member of Doha Toastmasters in Qatar, serving in multiple club leadership roles before moving to the UAE, where he contributed significantly as Vice President Education, Club President, Area Director, and club coach.
After relocating to New Zealand in 2022, Sandeep joined Botany Toastmasters as Vice President Membership and is now an active member of Good Vibes and Howick Toastmasters Clubs. He has completed the Competent Communicator, Competent Leader, and Advanced Leader Bronze awards, as well as five Pathways: Motivational Strategies, Dynamic Leadership, Presentation Mastery, Persuasive Influence and Engaging Humour.
In 2023, he earned his Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award after leading a Speechcraft program and successfully leading Division O to Select Distinguished status. Professionally, Sandeep works as a Principal Water Engineer with Jacobs Engineering Group and is also acting as Regional Technical Lead for Site Civil Communities of Practice (CoP).
Steve Vale has visited over 40 Toastmasters clubs in the past 18 months and is attending both District Conferences in May.
From club visits and meeting people at many Area and Division events has enabled Steve to rapidly absorb ideas, see what works, identify gaps, see the patterns of success, and provide useful help. Coupled with his decades in business he has a broad range of skills in sales, marketing, leadership and finance.
Looking to get even more value from your time in Toastmasters, see your club flourish, and see your community benefit from Toastmasters? Then Steve Vale as Club Growth Director is the next step. Our new stronger together District can help people across the country benefit from Toastmasters. Together, let’s reverse the shrinking club numbers and see our clubs thrive. Next time you see Steve, say Hi, ask questions, share your ideas, and invite him to visit your club.
Cedric Marie, a Toastmasters member since March 2021, holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago. He has served as VP Membership, Club President of Twilight talkers Ponsonby, and M4 Area Director for two consecutive years and was awarded the Core values Coin whilst serving in that role in 2024.
Cedric has also recently served as the Western Division Director in 2025-2026 and has attained Level 2 of the Dynamic Leadership pathway.
Cedric aims to enhance district membership and leadership growth as Auckland Division Director, leveraging his expertise in strategic financial planning, communication, and leadership. Cedric’s consulting background has helped him mentor new members, build trust and implement growth strategies that foster long-term success.
Jobet Panton has been a Toastmaster since 2022. Within three months of joining the club, he stepped up to take on the VP Membership role and later served as an Area Director for two consecutive years.
During his term, he achieved many accomplishments in Toastmasters. He was appointed a Club Coach in one of the clubs in Hamilton to assist them in successfully achieving their Distinguished Club Status. Being proactive in helping out on speech contests and other Toastmasters events passionately, he was awarded the Core Values Coin during the 2025 Division Conference.
He also successfully coordinated the ‘Youth Speak to Succeed’ Youth Leadership Programme last year as his final step towards achieving the DTM award. That initiative opened the doors for young people in the Hamilton area to have another session this year. He would like to continue serving fellow Toastmasters by taking up the role of Central Division Director.
Kia ora, I’m Yen Cheung, and I am honoured to have been nominated for the role of Manukau Division Director for the 2026–2027 Toastmasters year. I am an enthusiastic Toastmaster who enjoys building strong connections between clubs and creating positive learning environments.
I have been actively involved in Toastmasters through club and area leadership, event coordination, and supporting activities across the wider district.
The coming year will be a meaningful one for Toastmasters, as District 72 and District 112 come together as one district. It is exciting to see our Toastmasters community become stronger and more connected. My vision is to build a supportive and thriving division where clubs and leaders feel empowered to grow, collaborate, and succeed. My goal is to strengthen Division Manukau so that every club and every member feels supported, connected, and able to thrive.
I feel honoured and am thrilled to be the nominated candidate for Southern Division Director.
I confess! I am a Toastmasters addict: a member of six clubs, progressing through all six Paths and going to every meeting I can. I have filled every meeting role, each club committee role and have been both an Area Director and Division Director. I am currently Area Director C9.
This position provides me with the opportunity to combine my knowledge and experience of being part of large city, small-town and hybrid clubs, which sums up Southern Division.
I am looking forward to building and guiding a wonderful, successful Division team which is there to support and help our clubs and their members. My role is not to tell clubs what to do, rather to offer suggestions and direction so clubs and members can teach themselves how to grow and succeed. Please vote for Barry Shaw for Southern Division Director.
Reports for the business meeting will be posted here soon!
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