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Scholarships

Learn more about scholarships available to Speech New Zealand candidates.

Scholarships are offered based on grades, diploma and locations, or candidates can be nominated for excellence awards by their examiners.

Scholarships & Awards

Learn more about available scholarships

Grade scholarships

Closing date for applications is 31 December annually. Recipients will be notified by mid-February of the following year.

Candidates applying for the below grade scholarships should apply through the website by going to: Apply Now

Grade Six
(One per syllabus)

  • Speech and Drama, Performance and Literature

  • Public Speaking and Communication

Must have been awarded Honours or above for all modules to apply.

$200.00
to be paid to each recipient

Grade Seven
(One per syllabus)

  • Speech and Drama, Performance and Literature

  • Public Speaking and Communication

Must have been awarded Honours or above for all modules to apply.

$250.00
to be paid to each recipient

Grade Eight
(One per syllabus)

  • Speech and Drama, Performance and Literature

  • Public Speaking and Communication

Must have been awarded Honours or above for all modules to apply.

350.00 to be paid to each recipient

The Ciara O'Donnell Award for Grade Eight Speech and Drama

For students who have completed their Grade 8. Any student completing grade 8 may apply for the annual draw.

As a past student of Mary Flaherty, Ciara O'Donnell has established this award for students who have completed their Grade 8. Some of Ciara’s fondest memories of her time at Speech are of Mary’s annual after-exam afternoon teas and gas bags, which acknowledge the support and friendship of Mary (and all teachers) beyond the classroom. 

$100 paid to the recipient

$50.00 paid to the teacher for the student and teacher to share afternoon tea together.

Diploma scholarships

Closing date for applications is 31 December annually. Recipients will be notified by mid-February of the following year.

Candidates applying for the below grade scholarships should apply through the website by going to: Apply Now

Speech New Zealand Scholarship
ASB Speech and Drama

Founders’ Scholarship
ASB Public Speaking and Communication

Award
Fully subsidised entry to all three LSB practical examination modules

A scholarship will be awarded to an ASB candidate (either ASB or ASB advanced) who has completed their diploma and gained a distinction pass in all three practical modules.

Examiner-nominated awards

Entries are nominated by examiners and scholarships are offered annually.

Grade Five Speech and Drama
The Jillian Carpenter Award for Grade Five Speech and Drama

Free entry into Grade Six


Grade Five Flexi Speaking and Performing
The Gabrielle and Helen Balch Award for Grade Five Flexi Speaking and Performing

 
Free entry into Grade Six


The Balch family are honoured to recognise the support Gabrielle Balch gave her daughter, Helen, when enrolling her in speech and drama at just 6 years old and as the Christchurch Local Secretary. Helen went on to be a great supporter of Speech New Zealand, an inspirational teacher and one of the founding writers of the Flexi Speaking and Performing syllabus.

After first establishing this scholarship in 2021, the Balch family wish to rename the scholarship in honour of Helen to acknowledge the passion and dedication Helen gave Speech New Zealand.


Excellence in the Use of Language and Expression
“Melda Townsley Award” for Speech and Drama Performance and Literature

 
$100.00 paid to recipient


Mrs Melda Townsley established this award to encourage attention and improvement in the use of English language and expression.

To ensure an equitable opportunity, candidates whose reports are noted as displaying excellence in this area are submitted for an annual draw.


Excellence in the Use of Language and Expression
“Jill Walker Award” for Public Speaking and Communication


 $100.00 paid to recipient

Aotearoa Wide

Location Based Scholarships

Speech New Zealand and Geyser Community Foundation Scholarships

Available to Rotorua and Taupō residents only who want to enroll for Speech New Zealand examinations towards any of the following qualifications:

  • Associate of Speech New Zealand in Speech and Drama Performance

  • Associate of Speech New Zealand in Public Speaking and Communication Performance

  • Advanced Associate of Speech New Zealand in Speech and Drama Performance

  • Advanced Associate of Speech New Zealand in Speech and Drama Teaching

  • Advanced Associate of Speech New Zealand in Public Speaking and Communication Performance

  • Advanced Associate of Speech New Zealand in Public Speaking and Communication Teaching

Recipients are awarded scholarships to cover the Speech New Zealand examination fees for the three modules of Associate of Speech New Zealand or the four theory papers of Advanced Associate of Speech New Zealand. Examination fees will be reimbursed on successful completion of each module.

Recipients who successfully complete their Associate of Speech New Zealand are welcome to apply for a scholarship to complete their Advanced Associate of Speech New Zealand. 

Applicants who have already completed up to two modules towards Associate of Speech New Zealand are also eligible and will receive the examination fee for the modules that they have completed as well as for the modules they still have to complete. All payments of the scholarships will be made by direct credit to the scholarship holders' bank accounts.

Up to four scholarships are available each year.

The successful applicants will be required to be available for promotional interviews for the Geyser Community Foundation and for Speech New Zealand and information about their scholarships will be used in promotional material for the two organisations.

The successful candidates will be selected by a committee of the Board of Speech New Zealand.

How to apply:

To apply for a scholarship, please send a letter to info@speechnz.co.nz giving:

  • your name and contact details including your email address

  • the name of your speech teacher and your school, if applicable

  • your performance in previous Speech New Zealand examinations

  • your career ambitions and the ways in which your speech training will help you. 

Rotorua Civic Arts Trust Scholarship

Awarded in the Rotorua examination centre to students who have been nominated by the examiners during the three tours held in Rotorua each year.

At the end of the year a selection is made of a Senior and Junior student from the nominations made.

Otago Speech Communication Scholarship

Applications for these scholarships close on 31 December.

This scholarship is available for students from the Otago region who want to enrol for Speech New Zealand examinations towards any of the following qualifications: 

  • Licentiate of Speech NZ in Speech and Drama in Teaching Diploma

  • Licentiate of Speech NZ in Public Speaking and Communication in Teaching Diploma

The successful applicant will receive a $200 discount towards one module of their Licentiate.

The scholarship recipient will have two years to enter an appropriate module of their choosing.

Note: Applicants from other learning establishments are welcome to apply but their licentiate examinations must be taken with Speech New Zealand. The successful applicant will be required to conduct interviews and information about their scholarship will be used in promotional material.  The successful candidate will be selected by a committee of the Board of Speech New Zealand.

How to apply

To apply for a scholarship, please send a letter to info@speechnz.co.nz giving:

  • your name and contact details including your email address

  • the name of your speech teacher and your school, if applicable

  • your performance in previous Speech New Zealand examinations or equivalent training establishment

  • your career ambitions and the ways in which your speech training will help you