Join us for the World Champion Public Speaking final

30,000 became 100. 100 became 10. And 10 became 1 - the winner!

At the beginning of the year approximately 30,000 contestants from 126 countries started on the journey to see which of them would become the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking.

Now those 30,000 hopefuls have been whittled down to 100. That's 10 semi-finals - 10 speakers in each. The winners go onto the final.

Will our contestant Matt Colcombe be one of the chosen 10 to take part? *

Matt Colcombe accepting his 1st place certificate from past District Governor Kingsley Moody.

The semi-finals are to be held on the 13th of August and the final on the 15th of August in Las Vegas, USA.

*Update -The results of the semi-finals are in. Matt was not placed. Eye-witness Stephen Preston reports; "Matt absolutely did our country proud in an amazing semi-final field today."

You are (virtually) invited to the final

You may not be physically present but you can be there in spirit!

BNZ Harbour Quays Toastmasters Club will be hosting delayed coverage of the event from 1pm to 4pm on the big screens in their main conference room on Sunday 16 August in Wellington.

(Being ahead of the USA time zone, the event will happen in the wee small hours of Sunday morning our time - hence the delay.)

For just $10 you will get to enjoy the social vibe and network with other Toastmasters, refreshments provided, while watching the event and seeing the best speakers in the world battle it out for the title of Toastmaster International  2015 World Champion of Public Speaking. NZ has won this twice before and we have our fingers crossed that Matt can bring home the title again.

For full event details please visit: Watch the World Championship of Public Speaking

Download a pdf of the invitation to the BNZ Harbour Quay virtual final and share it! Get a group together ...

More information:

Our previous wins and placements at the World Championship of Public Speaking: 

• Kingi Biddle, 2nd in 2011, & then 2nd once more in 2013
• Brett Rutledge, Winner 1998
• David Nottage, Winner 1996 

More about the contest from Toastmasters International

Contest Workshop Scoop!

Attention all contestants - confirmed or potential

The reasons for coming to the Contest Workshop have just got even more compelling.

Gael Price, Division Director, has confirmed the winner of the NZ 2015 International Contest, Matt Colcombe from Wellington's Business Breakfast Club, will give a speech on what it's like to be a contestant.

This is pure gold for anybody considering entering the next round Toastmaster contests.

Matt is off to compete very soon in the global International Contest in Vegas but before he goes he's going to give you the lowdown on what he's learned through putting himself out there to be judged.

Matt Colcombe accepting his 1st place certificate from past District Governor Kingsley Moody.

 As Gael says this an amazing opportunity to learn from the best.

But wait there's more

In addition attendees will be involved in facilitated discussion, role plays, and practice the fine art of judgment-ship.

Attention contest organizers, chairs ...

If you're organizing or chairing this a superb opportunity to ensure that the contest you give your club is the very best; in accord with all that is good, fair and desired by everybody, whether they are contestants or officials.

What will attendees learn

By the time you leave you will have a greater understanding of:

• why Toastmasters hold contests - the benefits for ALL participants
• contest rules
• what can go wrong, why and how to prevent it
• the judging rules and the forms used
• the judging process through demonstration and practice

And of course you will have heard straight from the winner of the International Contest NZ's mouth about competing.

The details

Date: 30th July (Thursday)

Time: 5.30pm -  7.30pm

Place: Wellington Girl's College Library (Please download this pdf map showing car parking and so on. Finding the place can be tricky and we don't want you lost.)

Entry fee: koha - gold coin donation.

Thanks to Capital Toastmasters for sponsoring the event.

Register now 

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