2025-2026 Biographies - Toastmasters New Zealand North

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 recent experience of both the Club Growth Director and currently Program
Quality Director roles have prepared me for the role of District Director. 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.
In planning for what we as a District want to achieve this year, my primary focus will
be on growing our membership and enhancing the club experience. This will be
guided by innovative initiatives while infusing fun and motivation into our goal
achievement. A great deal of planning has already been completed which is a step
closer to our success. By working collaboratively with club and district officer, I am
committed to cultivating a thriving Toastmasters district in our organisation’s 100th
year.