Speech New Zealand is delighted to welcome Dinie Bevers as the new Chairperson of the Speech New Zealand Board, bringing to the role many years of experience as a Teacher kaiako, Oral Assessor kaiarotake, Examiner kaiarotake matua and Board member.

For Dinie, taking on the role is both an exciting opportunity and a significant responsibility. Having seen first-hand the commitment, knowledge and hard work that goes into Speech New Zealand at every level, she feels privileged to help lead the organisation into its next chapter.

“I am very excited about being offered the role of Speech New Zealand Chair, as it is such an important one,” Dinie says. “I am looking forward to strengthening the work Speech New Zealand has been doing for more than 60 years, as well as exploring new avenues for us to embrace the future.”

A long connection with Speech New Zealand
Dinie’s journey with Speech New Zealand began through her mentor, Nanette Wright, who encouraged her to pursue teaching Speech and Drama. From there, she became an Oral Assessor and later an accredited Examiner.

Her involvement eventually extended to governance, including serving as Vice-Chair and contributing to the Examinations Committee. She has particularly valued being involved in reviewing and developing syllabi marautanga, helping ensure they continue to respond to changing learning environments and the needs of students ākonga and teachers.

Teaching, however, has always remained an important part of Dinie’s connection with Speech New Zealand.

She began teaching in small country schools in Canterbury, sometimes travelling between four or five schools in a single week. She remembers those years as incredibly busy but also rewarding, with schools recognising the benefits Speech and Drama could bring to their students and, in some cases, providing funding to help make tuition accessible.

For more than 16 years, Dinie has taught in Christchurch. One of the greatest rewards has been watching students develop their confidence and communication skills, with some going on to become teachers themselves.

“Being a teacher is a joy,” she says. “It is so wonderful to watch your students grow into capable and lovely teachers and know that you have contributed to the purpose of Speech New Zealand going into the future.”

More than examinations
Dinie also continues to value her work mahi assessing and examining, describing it as both a privilege and a pleasure.

Witnessing the preparation, commitment and skill students bring into an examination whakamātautau ā-waha is, for Dinie, one of the rewards of being involved with Speech New Zealand. Just as important are the relationships formed along the way, with connections between teachers, students and their families often continuing for many years.

This sense of connection is central to what Speech New Zealand means to her.

“Speech New Zealand is an institution; it goes beyond being just an examining body. We are here to support teachers, candidates and the wider community. Speech New Zealand is a family of like-minded souls, and it is important for me to strengthen those connections with each other.”

Looking to the future
As Chairperson, Dinie hopes to build on Speech New Zealand’s long-standing strengths while continuing to broaden the organisation’s reach.

Alongside maintaining a strong examination system, she sees opportunities for Speech New Zealand to work with more communities and cultures throughout New Zealand Aotearoa, helping people from a wide range of backgrounds develop the confidence and skills to communicate effectively.

She is particularly conscious of the importance of communication in a changing world and believes Speech New Zealand has an important role to play in ensuring people continue to have opportunities to develop and use their voices.

Achieving that vision, she emphasises, will be a collective effort involving the Board, Speech New Zealand team, teachers, Oral Assessors, Examiners and the many people and communities connected with the organisation.

“I am feeling very positive about where we are now and where we can go with Speech New Zealand to make a difference for many people in Aotearoa,” Dinie says.

With her long connection to Speech New Zealand, her passion for teaching and examining, and her commitment to strengthening connections across the organisation and wider community, Dinie begins her time as Chairperson with a clear focus: building on more than 60 years of Speech New Zealand while helping ensure its work continues to empower people through communication for generations to come.