News Page
Stay up to date with the latest news and events from across District 72. For ease of navigation, we have divided this page into four sections: Members, Club Officers, District Officers and the District Calendar.
We recommend regularly checking the sections that apply to you!
Members News
Now is the Time to Enroll in a new Path!
Step by step guide to sign up for a new Path
- Log into www.toastmasters.org
- Click the Welcome message at the top of the page, then click My Home.
- Choose Learning Hub, then select Choose a Path.
- This will take you to the Select Your Preferences page
- Select your preferred language
- You have the option to take an assessment to help you choose a path, or you can go straight to viewing the path options
- Select your path, then press $20 USD – Selected PATH NAME at the bottom to move forward
- The next page will display the path selected, and click Enroll to proceed with payment
- Enter payment information for the order and continue through checkout
- Your receipt will be emailed to you after the transaction is complete
District 72 Member Zoom Background 2026-27
Show your District pride from wherever you join from!
To celebrate our first year as the new District 72, we’ve created an official “Better together” Zoom background for members to use during club meetings, training sessions and District events.
Our Zoom background features a map of the countries that make up our District and celebrates the diversity, connection, and friendships that unite us across New Zealand and the Pacific.
Download your copy below, and join us in showing that we are better together.
District 72 Celebration
Join us on Wednesday 1 July at 7pm to celebrate the reunification of the North Island, South Island, and Fiji into one District. The evening will feature prizes and competitions, reflections from past District leaders, a look ahead from the incoming District leadership team, Club Officer Training information, virtual networking rooms, and opportunities to connect with fellow members across the Pacific. This event celebrates the beginning of a new era for District 72 – one District, one family, and an exciting future ahead!
Starting In:
Online Pathways Onboarding Workshops
Need help with Pathways? These monthly online workshops cover how to set up the Pathways education system for Toastmasters. It aims to introduce new members to Pathways and answer any questions in practice.
It is also an opportunity for experienced members to see how they can assist new members with their Pathways introduction.
Available dates and registrations links can be found on the training page of this website.
District Contest Results 2026
Congratulations to all of the people that competed in the District Contests Finals during the Timaru Conference! We had an exceptionally high standard across all four of the contests!
For those who were not able to attend, here are the results:
Evaluation
1st Place: Carmen Roscoe
2nd Place: Peter Scholtens
3rd Place: Christine Livingston
Table Topics
1st Place: Rob Woolley
2nd Place: Peter Scholtens
3rd Place: Imogen Duncan
Humorous Speech Contest
1st Place: Roy Knight
2nd Place: Thelma Moses
3rd Place: Ash Vincent
International Speech Contest
1st Place: Carmen Roscoe
2nd Place: Glenys Forsyth
3rd Place: Sheila Hailstone
Autumn Newsletter
The April 2026 Newsletter is packed with updates, inspiration, and opportunities to get involved! Find out about the upcoming training workshops, results from the Division Contests and information about the District Conference in May.
Has your club done something interesting that we could feature in the next newsletter? We would love to hear about it! Send your story to newsletter.d72@toastmasters.org.nz
District 72 Conference 2026
Join us for the annual District 72 Conference! This year, it is being held at the Caroline Bay Hall in Timaru from Friday 15 May until Sunday 17 May 2026.
The theme will be “Celebrate the Journey” and it will be a reflection of the progress we all make during our time with Toastmasters. Feel empowered by keynote speakers, be entertained by the District contest finals, connect with other members and experience the best that Toastmasters can offer!
Starting In:
Club Officers News
Club Officer Training Round 1 for 2026/2027
Club Officers Training (COT) helps newly elected officers step into their roles with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
Learn what your role involves, how to lead effectively, how your contribution fits into the bigger picture, and how to help your club thrive.
Club Officers only need to attend one session to receive credit in the Distinguished Club Program. Each session will run for approximately 3 hours.
Available dates and registrations links can be found on the training page of this website.
Workshop: Supercharge Your Club
Division C are holding a special training session on Saturday 27 June 2026 from 1pm to 5pm at the Anglican Church on 170 Stanmore Road, Linwood.
This workshop is all about finding guests, converting guests to members, club retention and club growth. It promises to be captivating programme lead by senior leaders!
Afternoon tea will be provided and there is ample parking. It is also on the #60 bus route.
This workshop will be recorded for those who are living outside of Christchurch.
Starting In:
Annual General Meetings
It is time to start planning your club’s Annual General Meeting! The Club Constitution says that this should be held during the first meeting of May where practical.
During this meeting, the club will elect its officers for the year starting 1 July 2026. This is also an opportunity for current club officers to give reports and to pass any motions that require majority approval from members.
The AGM must have a Chairperson. For some clubs, the President fulfills this function. Other clubs ask an experienced member to do this. There should also be a secretary recording the minutes of the meeting.
Some clubs run their AGM at the end of their regular meeting, others dedicate their entire meeting to it, some even meet off-site and make it a big event. How you run your AGM is entirely up to you!
Once this meeting has been held, ensure that your Club Officer List for the 2026/2027 programme year is submitted to Toastmasters International via Club Central by 30 June 2026. This will ensure a smooth transition and is one of the points in the Distinguished Club Programme.
Talk Up Toastmasters - Membership Building Programme
With so many people feeling refreshed from the holidays, now is the best time of the year to promote your club and spread the word about Toastmasters!
To encourage this, Toastmasters International are running their annual “Talk Up Toastmasters” membership building programme. Any club that can sign up 5 or more members between 1 February and 31 March 2026 will receive a special ribbon to display on their banner and a 10% off discount code to use on the Toastmasters International online store.
Beat the Clock - Membership Building Programme
Is you club close to meeting its membership goals for the Distinguished Club Programme? Now is the best time to promote your club to get over the line and start the next Toastmasters year strong!
To encourage this, Toastmasters International are running their annual “Beat the Clock” membership building programme. Any club that can sign up 5 or more members between 1 March and 30 June will receive a special ribbon to display on their banner and a 10% off discount code to use on the Toastmasters International online store.
Membership Renewals
Our Toastmasters International semi-annual membership fees are due by 31 March 2026. As club officers, now is the best time to check in with members to discuss their goals and renewing their membership for another six months. This is also a good time to make sure members are up to date with payments.
These fees are usually paid by the Treasurer via Club Central, but it can vary for each club. Make sure your club has a plan for paying these fees on time so that you don’t miss an easy point in the Distinguished Club Programme!
Membership Renewals Due:
Club Officer Lists
Make sure to upload your Club Officer List for the upcoming Toastmasters programme year before 30 June 2026. This ensures that the incoming Club Officers will be able to access resources without delay. This is done via Club Central and is also one of the goals in the Distinguished Club Programme.
Club Officer Lists Due:
District Officer News
District Executive Committee Meeting,
Sunday 5 July 2026
Area Directors, Division Directors and other District Officers are invited to attend the District Executive Meeting on Sunday 5 July 2026.
Documents for this meeting can be found on the Meeting Documents page.
Instructions on how to register attendance will be send directly to District Officers.
Starting in:
Club Visit Reports
Club Visit Reports Due:
Club
Mission
“We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.”
District
Mission
“We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.”
Toastmasters International Mission
“We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.”
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