Auckland Toastmasters Club

What makes a great Toastmasters club?

It’s not just the speeches. It’s the people who show up every week willing to step outside their comfort zone, support others, and keep growing.

Reflecting on our May meetings at Auckland Toastmasters, I was reminded how much can happen in just a few hours. We celebrated Icebreakers, leadership projects, inspiring speeches, welcomed new members and said farewell to one of our outstanding leader Alex Freeman, as he begins a new chapter in Sydney.

As VP Public Relations, I have the privilege of seeing these moments up close. Every speech represents courage. Every evaluation represents generosity. Every meeting is a reminder that communication and leadership are skills built one step at a time.

I’m especially proud that our club was recognised as Best Club in Public Relations for District 112. This achievement belongs to every member who shares their story, volunteers for a role, brings a guest or simply shows up ready to learn.

A huge congratulations to our May award winners:

🏆 4 May 2026
• Scott Cousins – Best Speaker
• Walter Poulsen – Best Evaluator
• Murray Beck – Best Table Topics Speaker

🏆 18 May 2026
• Rachel Chang – Best Speaker
• Carmen Chan – Best Inspiring Speaker
• Nethmie Galla – Best Evaluator
• Jilnaught Wong – Best Table Topics Speaker

We were also delighted to welcome new members Rachel Chang and Angela Tsai to the Auckland Toastmasters family.

Thank you to all our speakers, evaluators, role holders and members who continue to make our club a place where people find their voice, develop leadership skills and build confidence.

Looking forward to many more Mondays filled with learning and growth.



VP Public Relations
Aida Sakatova

Better late than never — and honestly, April deserved more than one post anyway.
What a month it’s been for Auckland Toastmasters.
First, on 18 April at the University of Auckland Business School, our very own Jilnaught Wong took 1st place in the Division H International Speech Contest and Nethmie Galla took 1st place in the Division H Evaluation Contest. Not one champion — two. And a whole crew of club members showing up on the day to cheer them on. That’s just who we are.

Jilnaught and Nethmie — we are so proud of you both. 🥇🥇

Then two days later on 20 April, we had one of those meetings where everything just clicked. Four guests joined us (Rachel back for round two and Luiza for the very first time — welcome!), the grammarian word was “grotesque” which made for some wildly creative moments, and the speeches? Genuinely something else.
Award winners on the night:
🎤 Best Speaker — Chris Harding
💬 Best Table Topics — Michael Wells
📝 Best Evaluator — Hana Tran
✨ Best Inspiring Speaker — Alireza Atarodi

And a huge welcome to our newest member Carmen — you’re going to love it here.

If you’ve been thinking about visiting, just come. No pressure, no commitment. We meet every second Monday at The Northern Club, 19 Princes Street, Auckland CBD. Message us to book your spot.

VP Public Relations
Aida Sakatova

Our first two sessions of 2026 have already set the bar high!
As always, we continue with a high level of content, energy and professionalism.

A winning speech always begins with strong content.

Here are 3 key tips for a powerful speech:

- Clear structure
- Meaningful message
- Engaging delivery

Great speakers are not accidental — they are intentional!

📅 27 January Session
🏆 Best Speaker – Andrew Cosgrave
🎤 Best Table Topics – Aida Sakatova
🎯 Best Evaluator – Nethmi Galla

⸻

📅 9 February Session
🏆 Best Speaker - Seeby Woodhouse
🌟 Best Icebreaker Speaker – Scott Cousins
🎯 Best Evaluator – Andrew Cosgrave
🎤 Best Table Topics – Murray Beck

Please applaud and congratulate all our winners 👏👏👏!
So proud of our club for starting 2026 with excellence, growth, and strong leadership energy!

With pride and gratitude,

Aida Sakatova
VP Public Relations

A little late… but some stories are simply too good not to relive.

Right before Christmas, we had our unforgettable Tall Tales Contest and what a night it was!

The room was filled with laughter, wild imagination, dramatic twists and stories so tall they nearly touched the ceiling 🎭😂.

We didn’t just compete — we connected. We shared dinner, joy and that beautiful feeling that makes our Toastmasters club truly feel like family.

🌟 Special Congratulations:
🥇 1st Place – Denholm Orr
🥈 2nd Place – Jilnaught Wong Aida Sakatova

🏆 Best Speech – Tony Woodhouse
🎯 Best Evaluator – Cal Roughan

Your creativity, humour and powerful feedback made the evening unforgettable.

Yes, this post is fashionably late… but great memories don’t expire ✨
So proud to be part of a community where we grow, laugh, support each other — and occasionally tell outrageously tall tales!

Aida Sakatova
VP Public Relations

Only two sessions left before our Toastmasters year wraps up… and honestly, the energy right now feels electric!

If you’ve ever wondered what happens inside a Toastmasters room - imagine a place where strangers become cheerleaders, ideas become stories, and confidence grows without you even noticing. Come as a guest, leave with a new vibe (and maybe a future business partner, friend, or collaborator 🙂).

Our 3 November session was fire, and here are the champions of the night:
🎤 Saif Sayed — delivered a speech that held the whole room
🔎 Michael Wells — evaluation full of insight and precision
🎲 Nethmie Galla — Table Topics queen with quick thinking and charm

Every meeting feels like a little celebration of courage.
Come see it for yourself — before we close the year!

Aida Sakatova
VP Public Relations

Mind-Blowing Toastmasters Night!
20 October session wasn’t just a meeting — it was a whole experience. That special Toastmasters atmosphere… it’s hard to describe, but you feel it the moment you step inside. It’s not just about networking or growth — it’s about people who genuinely lift each other higher.

🏆 Best Evaluation: Adam Shepard – sharp, supportive, and delivered with such calm wisdom.
🎤 Best Speaker: Hana Tran – her message was powerful, heartfelt and beautifully crafted.
⚡️ Best Table Topics: Nethmie Galla – spontaneous brilliance with every answer!
🌟 Icebreaker Highlight: Darren Signorino what an impressive first speech! Honest, engaging, unforgettable.

Every time I walk out of our Toastmasters session, I feel inspired, energised, and reminded why I love this community so much. ✨💛

If you’re looking for a place where you grow, laugh, speak, shine, and connect deeply — join us next time.



Aida Sakatova
VP Public Relations

Proud to see our Auckland Toastmasters members once again living the values of leadership and service. Together with Division Director Steve Vale, we helped organise today’s Harbour Division Area Contests 2025 at the beautiful The University of Auckland Business School venue.

A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed from planners to participants for turning dedication into excellence.

speaking

Harbour Division Area Contests 2025

Big wins for our Auckland Toastmasters family! 💪
Congratulations to Michael Wells, crowned 1st place in the Area H4 Humorous Speech Contest, and Ben Lewell, who shined with 2nd place in the Table Topics Contest! 🎤🏆

Your humour, spontaneity, and passion inspire us all proof that growth and laughter go hand in hand.
Can’t wait to see Michael take the stage again at the Division H Contest on 1 November.

Go team! 🙌

Members of Auckland Toastmasters celebrating Michael Wells’ first place in the Area H4 Humorous Speech Contest. Congratulations Michael and all the best for the Division H Contest on 1 November.