Marlene Krone DTM, District Director
I am standing for the role of District Director for 2025-2026.
With nearly two years of dedicated service on the district leadership team, I am compelled to extend my commitment to advancing the organisation’s mission in this new capacity. The role of District Director is responsible for oversight within the District, as well as being responsible for promoting and supporting club quality and member retention.
My decision to pursue this leadership role is underpinned by a profound dedication to facilitating growth and success among individuals, aligning with the overarching objectives of our district. Throughout the previous terms, I had the privilege of spearheading dynamic teams, catalysing the establishment of new clubs and facilitating the journey of existing ones towards excellence. This experience reaffirmed my belief that by nurturing individual achievements, we collectively contribute to a more fulfilling and prosperous community.
In my extensive 25-year tenure with Toastmasters, I have had the privilege of serving in various capacities within the district, including as an Area
Governor/Director, Division Governor, Public Relations Manager, and Administration Manager. My journey has been enriched by assuming all club
officer roles and culminated in the prestigious recognition of a Distinguished Toastmaster Award in 2012.
Complementing my Toastmasters journey is a 45-year career as an executive assistant across diverse industry sectors. This professional trajectory has
endowed me with robust organisational acumen, effective communication prowess, and adept managerial skills, all of which I am eager to leverage in advancing the district’s goals.
Driven by Toastmasters International’s core values and guided by my personal principles of empathy, courage, and fairness, I envision a district characterised by dedicated leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence. Together, we can empower members to navigate their leadership journeys with confidence.
Mark Tweedale, Program Quality Director
I have been a Toastmaster in our District since 2012. For the first 2/3 of those 12 years, I was very much Club focused, which continues – being an active member at Pakuranga & Botany Toastmasters.
In the last few years, I have discovered there is so much more on offer outside my own clubs, as well as inside, through leadership roles -first as an Area Director, then this year as a Division Director. I really enjoy encouraging, supporting and guiding members and clubs in achieving their full potential.
So far in my toastmasters journey I have completed the ACB & ALB in the Legacy program and the Visionary Communication & Leadership Development Pathways in the current system, as well as working on my DTM, which should be complete
by July. This experience enables me to incorporate the old & new systems together so members from both journeys can achieve positive outcomes.
I am confident that I can effectively fulfil the role of Program Quality Director. My vision for the coming year is reestablishing and growing our clubs. The
foundations are there we just need to build on these and to give our members the encouragement and support that they deserve.
I love a challenge and my challenge for this coming year is to take every member on this shared journey to make our organisation stronger and better than it
already is.
Sandeep Kinge, Club Growth Director
Sandeep Kinge joined Toastmasters International in April 2013 in Navi Mumbai, India. Later that year, he moved to Qatar and became an active member of the Doha Toastmasters Club, serving in multiple leadership roles at the club level. After four years, he relocated to the UAE, where he joined the UAE Advanced Toastmasters Club, serving as Vice President Education and Club President at the club level. He also served as Area Director and club coach in the UAE. In 2022, Sandeep moved to New Zealand, joined the Botany Toastmasters Club, and served as Vice President Membership for one year. He is a member of Good Vibes, Pokeno, and Howick Toastmasters Clubs. Sandeep has completed the Competent Communicator, Competent Leader, and Advanced Leader Bronze awards from the old manual. Sandeep completed Motivational Strategies, Dynamic Leadership, Presentation Mastery, and Persuasive Influence from the Pathways manuals. In 2023, he earned the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Award after leading a Speechcraft program in Auckland. As Division O Director, he led the Division to Select Distinguished status. Sandeep remains committed to achieving his second DTM soon.
IPDD – Richard Perkins DTM
With a background as a teacher, and my involvement in a senior role for a nationwide community-based organisation, I have dedicated myself to fostering knowledge and growth in others. I have gained invaluable experience and leadership skills in a volunteering world over many years of service to Toastmasters across three districts while serving in various District Officer roles.
The knowledge gained of Pathways with personal experience, and recently gaining my fourth DTM, add to the experience one expects a District Leader to have. After enjoying my term as Division Director, I now get to support Marlene to achieve her (and D112’s) goals. I am committed to cultivating a thriving Toastmasters district in our organisation’s 100th year.
Public Relations Manager – Tatiana Maior
Tatiana is an enthusiastic, positive and optimistic Toastmaster who is a member of multiple clubs including her home club Pakuranga TM.
She has already served as a Club President, VP Membership, VPPR and SAA. She is thriving to learn new skills and her motto is: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are too small.
District Admin Manager – Dione Coleman
I’ve been a Toastmaster for 11 years I think – its flown by. I still learn every meeting (if you don’t learn you’re simply not listening). I’m not fond of being the centre of attention so Toasties has helped me deal with that – but it hasn’t slowed down my speaking speed AT ALL. Aspiration – maybe this year that will change? And gosh I must get around to doing a DTM!
It appears I’m a serial volunteer – I love helping out. I’m a HR Manager in my day job so love engaging, helping through or around thorny issues, coaching for growth and seeing individuals develop. I’m looking forward to the Admin Manager gig.
District Finance Manager – Warrick Brooks
I have been a Chartered Accountant for many years now, and the old days of the “bookkeeper in the back room” supporting a business is no more. Accountancy is part of the job but now we have to deliver financial information to the broadroom.
I joined Toastmasters around 3 years ago with the goal to develop my skill set in:
– Speaking in front of large groups of people
– Developing the necessary leadership skills to confidentially provide financial information
I was given the opportunity to take on the role of District Finance Manager, with the mind set to give back to the Toastmasters community and also to accomplish my goals – a win-win.
Murray Coutts DTM, District Parliamentarian
Biography will be published when available
John “BJ” O’Leary DTM, Logistics Manager
Biography will be published when available
George Ham, Northern Division Director
I have been a toastmaster for 4 years and I initially joined toastmasters because I wanted to be a better communicator at my job. Since becoming a toastmaster, I’ve been blessed to come across many more wonderful opportunities, spanning from being the finalist at the District International Speech contest to Club President and Area Director.
I was able to step out of my comfort zone in a safe and supportive environment and experienced exponential self-growth during the time. An amazing byproduct of this experience is people’s authentic stories, connection with each community, and seeing others grow along the way.
I believe people initially join Toastmasters to be a better version of themselves but stay a toastmaster for the connections they make. My main goal as Northern Division Director this year is to ensure each connection fellow toastmasters make is valued, and the members are able to get value out of their time with Toastmasters. I have the privilege of working with a wonderful team of fellow district leaders, especially our Area Directors, to ensure clubs are adequately supported and adding value to members. Biggest enabler for me is sharing good practice and being a helping hand where required.
I believe that Toastmasters can be, and should be, fun. I hope to add value as Northern Division Director and look forward to more wonderful connections we’ll make.
Western Division Director – Cedric Marie
Cedric has been a Toastmaster since 2021 and holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance & Marketing from the University of Otago. He has served as Club President, VP Marketing and Area Director.
Awarded the 2024 Core Values Coin, he aims to enhance district membership and leadership growth as a Division Director, leveraging his expertise in strategic financial planning, communication and leadership.
His consulting background has helped him mentor new members, build trust and implement growth strategies that foster long term success.
Harbour Division Director – Steve Vale
Steve Vale combines leadership, experience, and a passion for Toastmasters growth as the 2025-2026 Harbour Division Director.
As Club President, VP Education, Area Director, and Club Coach he has empowered members and clubs through mentoring and is excited about the Division Director role.
His recent and continuing visits to many clubs across the District has seen unique learnings about what currently is enabling club successes and an understanding of their challenges.
He looks forward to being of service to his Area Directors and the District.
P.S. He loves the opportunity to take on a speaking role or help fill any gaps in the agenda when visiting clubs – reach out from across the District and invite him to visit.
Manukau Division Director – Derek Hiscoke
Derek Hiscoke joined Toastmasters in 2018 with the goal of becoming more confident in both impromptu and prepared speaking.
He quickly discovered that Toastmasters offered much more than just communication skills — from leadership development to lasting friendships.
He remains an active member of both Karaka and Pōkeno Toastmasters, both fun clubs who welcome visitors.
As Division Director for Manukau 2025–2026, Derek is looking forward to supporting both clubs and peeps to grow, connect, and have fun along the way.
Central Division Director – John DiLeo DTM
John DiLeo, DTM, has been a Toastmaster since 2007, when he joined AgMasters at the US Department of Agriculture in Kansas City, Missouri (District 22). In District 22, John served as Area Governor, Division Governor, and Lt. Governor-Education and Training. Since relocating to New Zealand, John has been active in District 72/112, serving as Area Director, Club Retention Chair, and as a member of the District Leadership Committee, before his election as Central Division Governor this year.
John is dedicated to serving and mentoring other Toastmasters at the club level, in his roles as Club President, Vice President Education, Vice President Membership, and Treasurer in several clubs in Districts 22 and 112. He has served successfully as a Club Coach, Club Mentor, Club Sponsor, and most recently as the organiser and founding President of Gallagher Toastmasters in Hamilton.
This year, John looks forward to working with his amazing Area Directors to support the clubs of Central Division, as we all continue to learn and grow as speakers and leaders.
Southern Division Director – Paul Jacobs
Paul has been in Toastmasters since 2019 and has performed many roles in various Executive teams in his journey. Basically he wants to give back to Toastmasters as an organisation, as it has helped him in his career. Paul is an Operations Manager and believes his experience as a coach and mentor will help grow and support the Division.