Central Otago Toastmasters

03/06/2026

Inspiring!

From Self-doubt to District Champion ~ Meet Mata Kalauta

Before joining Toastmasters International, Mata kept herself small.

Speaking up didn’t feel like an option. She believed confident speakers were “other people”.

People with more experience, more talent, and more confidence than she had.

When Mata first walked into Aranui Toastmasters Club, she was surrounded by skilled speakers, many she thought with years, even decades, of experience. It felt intimidating, and she questioned whether she truly belonged there.

But her club saw something in Mata that she couldn’t yet see in herself.

They encouraged her, supported her, and helped her discover the power of her own voice.

Mata still remembers her very first speech. She was so nervous she almost walked away before delivering it. But with the encouragement of her club behind her, she stayed.

That single decision changed everything.

Toastmasters gave Mata structure, confidence, and the ability to organise her thoughts and speak with clarity and purpose.

Then, just five months after becoming a Toastmaster, she stepped onto the contest stage for the International Speech Contest.

She placed second at Aranui Toastmasters Club level.

She went on to compete in and win Area level.

Then Division level.

Then District 72 Champion ... and went on to represent District 72 at the Region 12 Quarterfinals!

Today, Mata stands confidently in leadership roles she once never imagined possible ~ proof that growth can happen far quicker than we think when we start believing our voice matters.

Her journey is a reminder that you don’t need decades of experience to begin. Sometimes, you simply need the courage to start.

👀 Keep an eye out for Mata featured on a billboard at 101 Main North Road, Christchurch as part of our campaign celebrating real member journeys across District 72.

If Mata can do it, you can too.

Find your local Toastmasters club and start your own speaking journey today.
www.toastmasters.org.nz

03/06/2026

A big thank you to Kathy from OMS for coming along this morning and supporting me. Kathy is not only a valued member of Toastmasters and part of our committee, but also a wonderful friend. Having people around us who encourage, support, and cheer us on makes such a difference, and I am truly grateful for her friendship.

Also a big thank you to Bonnie from Southern Peak Law for hosting this morning's Business Breakfast at AFIX Café and for the warm introduction to such a fantastic group of local entrepreneurs.

I had an absolute blast sharing a little of my own journey, talking about mindset, communication, and how these two often-overlooked skills can have a profound impact on the growth of a business.

No matter what industry we work in, we spend our days communicating with clients, customers, suppliers, staff, and our wider community.

The way we communicate influences trust, relationships, leadership, opportunities, and ultimately the success of our business. Pair that with a strong mindset, and suddenly challenges become opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow.

What struck me most this morning was the energy in the room.

One of my favourite moments was a small communication challenge during the introductions. Instead of saying what they do, I invited everyone to share what they are passionate about, who they help, and who they support.

It was incredible to see how much more engaging, memorable, and meaningful the conversations became. We got to discover the people behind the businesses, not just the job titles.

I was also delighted to see how many people expressed interest in the idea of starting a Toastmasters club in Cromwell.

Central Otago Toastmasters would be honored to support Cromwell in creating its own club and helping people develop confidence in public speaking, leadership, and communication skills.

If you missed this month's breakfast, keep an eye on Facebook. The Business Breakfast takes place on the first Wednesday of each month and is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other local business owners, learn something new, and build meaningful relationships within our community.

Thank you again to everyone who attended. I left inspired, energised, and excited about what lies ahead for our local business community.

31/05/2026

CROMWELL GENIUSES! READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY? THIS IS FOR YOU!

A few months ago, we reached out to the Cromwell community to see whether there was interest in bringing Toastmasters closer to home.

The response was incredibly encouraging.

Many people shared how valuable communication skills, confidence, leadership, and public speaking could be for themselves, their teams, or their businesses. Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment, message us, and show their support.

With a new committee now in place and a new Toastmasters year ahead of us, we are actively exploring the possibility of running a Speechcraft programme in Cromwell.

Speechcraft is a practical, supportive introduction to public speaking and communication. It typically runs over 5 to 6 weeks and is designed to help people build confidence while learning the fundamentals of speaking in front of others.

At this stage, we are looking at July or possibly August, and we will share more details as plans are confirmed.

If this sounds like something you would love to be part of, make sure you follow our page so you don't miss any updates.

And if you already know that you are committed to improving your communication skills and would be interested in becoming part of the growing Central Otago Toastmasters community, feel free to reach out to us directly.

Exciting things are happening, and we can't wait to share more soon.
Toastmasters NZ - Lower North and South

28/05/2026

Central Otago Toastmasters is pleased to welcome Piers as the new President for the year ahead.

Piers takes over from Sarah Fairburn, who has done a fantastic job leading the club and will, fortunately, remain part of the committee this year.

“I’m pleased to have been voted in as President of Central Otago Toastmasters. With a larger committee team this year, we have a great opportunity to build on the work already being done to provide a safe, enjoyable, and supportive space where people can grow their confidence in speaking and improve their communication skills.”

The club looks forward to an exciting year ahead and warmly welcomes anyone interested to get in touch.

Want to find out more? Get in touch!
Gill (VP Membership): [email protected]

26/05/2026

A word from our former Central Otago Toastmasters Sarah Fairbairn. It has been such an honor to have Sarah as our first President! 👏

The experience of being the first president of a brand new inexperienced club is like being a deer in headlights. Everything was new and it was definitely overwhelming to say the least. It was a similar feeling when me and Chris were asked to revive the Toastmasters Club in Alex.

I always had this sense of guilt of not being able to allot more time to it. I was so glad to have such dependable people in the committee like Lilly and Kathy and honestly there probably won't still be a club if it weren't for them.

We learned so much as a group and grew so quickly even though it felt like forever to our mentors. With every meeting, we were picking up tips and adjusting the way the meetings were run. I really felt that we created a fun and safe community of like minded individuals.

I feel extremely privileged to have gotten it to this point but also so glad to be able to pass it on so that the club can continue growing. I have no doubt that our new committee will take it to the next level with the support of all our members and mentors. Look forward to the next Toastmasters year!

Always grateful,
Sarah

25/05/2026

WHAT A FANTASTIC EVENING AT OUR AGM! 🎉

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us last night for the Central Otago Toastmasters Annual General Meeting.

It was wonderful to see so many members and supporters come together to celebrate another year of learning, laughter, encouragement, and personal growth.

One of the highlights of the evening was forming our new committee. Last year we had only three committee members carrying many responsibilities. This year, we are excited to have a team of seven dedicated volunteers stepping forward to help lead and grow our club.

Congratulations to our 2026/2027 committee:

🔹 President – Piers Riley
🔹 VP Education – Sarah Fairbairn
🔹 VP Public Relations – Lilly McKenzie
🔹 VP Membership – Gill Gaylor
🔹 Treasurer – Kathy Kelliher
🔹 Secretary – Erika Hollow
🔹 Sergeant at Arms – David McKenzie

Thank you to each of you for your willingness to serve our members and help shape the future of our club.

We are also excited about what lies ahead. With a larger committee in place, we can now focus on growing and strengthening our club, including progressing our plans to expand into Cromwell and bring Toastmasters opportunities to even more people across Central Otago.

Another exciting project is our upcoming Speechcraft programme starting in July. Speechcraft is a practical and supportive introduction to public speaking and leadership, designed for anyone who would like to build confidence, improve communication skills, and experience what Toastmasters is all about. More details will be announced soon, so stay tuned!

Most importantly, thank you to every member who continues to show up, participate, encourage others, and make our club such a welcoming place to learn and grow.

Here's to an exciting year ahead and many new opportunities for learning, leadership, and connection! 🥂✨

24/05/2026

🌟 WHAT MAKES A GREAT CLUB? 🌟

It's the people!

Every idea shared, every role filled, every encouraging word, and every speech contributes to making Central Otago Toastmasters the welcoming and supportive club it is today.

On Monday 25 May at 6:30pm, we'll gather for our Annual General Meeting to celebrate the past year and look ahead to the next.

Whether you've been a member for years, recently joined, or are simply curious about Toastmasters, you're warmly invited.

📍 Alexandra or via Zoom

Your voice could help shape what comes next.

21/05/2026

🎉 HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE FUTURE OF CENTRAL OTAGO TOASTMASTERS! 🎉

Join us for our Annual General Meeting on Monday 25 May at 6:30pm.

Whether you're a long-time member, a new member, or simply curious about Toastmasters, we'd love to see you there. It's a great opportunity to celebrate the year gone by, hear what's ahead, and help shape the future of our club.

📍 Alexandra or join via Zoom
🕡 6:30pm

Every voice matters. Every idea counts.

Guests are welcome to attend and experience what Toastmasters is all about. 😊

09/05/2026

Sometimes you don’t realise how much you’ve changed until you look back.

At Toastmasters International, most people don’t walk in confident. They come curious, maybe a bit unsure… and they just start.

Over time, something shifts and speaking feels easier.

You trust your voice a little more and feel more comfortable in expressing yourself.

📅 Next meeting: Monday 11 May
📍 Elim Church, 15 Ngapara Street, Alexandra
🕡 6:30pm – 8:00pm
💻 In person or via Zoom

You’re welcome to come as a guest and see what it’s like.

06/05/2026

TOASTMASTERS IS CHANGING… AND MOST PEOPLE DON’T REALISE IT.

Across Toastmasters International, there’s a shift happening.
It’s not just about speeches anymore.
It’s about real-life skills:

• Speaking up in meetings
• Thinking clearly on the spot
• Leading conversations with confidence

And the best part?

👉 You don’t get thrown on stage
👉 You’re guided, step by step
👉 You grow without pressure

At Central Otago Toastmasters, you can simply come and observe… or gently step in when you feel ready.
Some start by just listening. Then one day… they surprise themselves.

📅 Next meeting: Monday 11 May
📍 Alexandra – Elim Church
🕡 6:30pm to 8:00pm
💻 In person or online

Curious? That’s all you need to begin.