Senior students are invited to take part in a free public speaking competition designed to build confidence and communication skills.
Senior students are encouraged to consider entering the 2026 Lions New Zealand Young Speechmaker Contest, a public speaking competition for Auckland students organised by the Lions Clubs 202K Region.
The competition is open to students aged 16–21 years (as of 15 November 2026), and no prior public speaking experience is required. Entry is free.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, 6 June 2026
- Time: 9:00am
- Location: Kumeu Community Centre, 35 Access Road, Kumeu
- Host: Huapai Kumeu Lions
What’s involved:
- A prepared speech (5–6 minutes) on a topic of the student’s choice
- An impromptu speech (up to 2 minutes), with 1 minute preparation time
Top performers will have the opportunity to progress to the National Final in August 2026, with prizes awarded to the top three participants.
This competition offers a valuable opportunity for students to build confidence, develop communication skills, and gain experience that can support NCEA, university applications, and personal growth.
Past participant Head Prefect Lydia shared:
“I signed up to the Lions Club Foundation speech competition to step outside my comfort zone. I had never done any public speaking before, so it was a big thing for me. I am grateful I did apply because it helped me gain confidence in public speaking. It was inspiring hearing other students' speeches from across schools, and also lovely meeting and talking with new people who were very friendly. I highly encourage students to sign up.”
How to get involved: Interested students can:
- Contact the organisers directly for support with applications and sponsorship
- Access rules, judging criteria, and application forms here:
https://www.lionsclubs.org.nz/services/youth/young-speechmaker-contest
For more information: Here
