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We have a network who are dedicated to helping our nation to communicate.
Speech NZ Patron
Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh, ONZM, FRSNZ
Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh, ONZM, FRSNZ
Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh, ONZM, FRSNZ, is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most distinguished and dynamic communicators. As the first Pacific Island Commonwealth Poet (2016), she composed and performed for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey. She went on to serve as New Zealand's Poet Laureate (2017-2019), during which time she hosted and performed for President Barack Obama. Her ability to connect with audiences ranging from primary school students to presidents and queens embodies Speech New Zealand's mission of empowering confident communicators across all levels of society.
A celebrated academic, performer, and author, Selina is a Professor in English at the University of Auckland where she teaches Pacific Literature and Creative Writing. Her work spans multiple forms of creative communication - from award-winning poetry collections to graphic memoirs, most notably her Margaret Mahy Supreme Book Award winner Mophead (2020). She has performed at over 150 national and international events and delivered over 60 keynotes in 14 countries, demonstrating the power of effective oral communication on the global stage.
As patron of Speech New Zealand, Selina’s commitment to nurturing diverse voices and her expertise in both written and spoken word aligns perfectly with the organisation's values of encouraging diversity, delivering educational excellence, and supporting the growth and development of all New Zealanders. Having worked with over 10,000 students through school visits and conducted more than 120 poetry and leadership workshops, she accepted the role of patron to help advance Speech New Zealand's mission of developing confident, capable communicators across all communities in Aotearoa.
