News

2013 Community and Iwi Engagement Conference

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:10:12 +1200

The 2013 Community and Iwi Engagement Conference is packed full of case studies that explore different aspects of engagement. The conference is designed to provide delegates with a thorough understanding of community engagement strategies, cultural values and communication channels. Listen as you hear how organisations have successfully engaged with their communities to achieve desired goals.

You must be here if you are responsible for:

• External communications
• Māori engagement & Iwi liaison
• Policy development
• Community relations & engagement
• Managing stakeholders & key relationships
• Project & consents management
• Public information campaigns

For more information visit 2013 Community and Iwi Engagement Conference

IABC Wellington Budget Day Exclusive with Bernard Hickey

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:53:57 +1200

Like it or not, the Government’s annual Budget, delivered each May, has a big effect on the work we Wellington communicators will do throughout the rest of the year.

So this year on Budget Day, IABC Wellington has renowned financial commentator, Bernard Hickey heading straight over from the lockup on Thursday 16 May, to tell us how he thinks this year’s Budget will shape the way we work in FY13/14.

This is an especially critical year for reading the Budget tea leaves – asset sales, promised surpluses, the Canterbury rebuild, and an upcoming election year will all play a critical role in what – and how – we communicate for the next 12 months.

Bernard Hickey is a leading financial journalist and editor of interest.co.nz. In his 20 years for Reuters, the FT Group, Fairfax Media, he has become famous for his down-to-earth style and ability to make the complexities of the economy easy to understand. You can follow Bernard on Twitter: @bernardchickey

We look forward to seeing you from 5pm for a 5.30pm start.

MBIE's head of comms appointed

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:37:54 +1300

Suzanne Pollard has taken up the role of General Manager Communications at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Suzanne has wide experience in permanent and contract roles across the public and private sectors, in the Beehive and the media. Her most recent role was Communications Manager at the Department of Conservation.

NZ-focused PR book now available as eBook

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:27:26 +1200

The first eBook to focus on the practice of public relations and communication management in New Zealand has just been published.

Lead author and Open Polytechnic Communication Professor, Dr Gary Mersham co-authored Public Relations and Communication Management: An Aotearoa/ New Zealand perspective with Auckland University of Technology senior communication lecturers Dr Petra Theunissen and Joseph Peart.

"The book is the first to focus on New Zealand's unique cultural, communication, and information environment," says Dr Mersham, "covering local issues, social media and using relevant kiwi case studies."

Available for purchase from the Pearson website, the book includes contributions from Dr Elspeth Tilley (Massey University), well known media commentator John Bishop, and Aline Sandilands (AUT University).

"All the contributors have had extensive real world experience in public relations and communication management practice," says Dr Mersham.

Course leader for the public relations certificate and diploma programmes at distance learning provider, Open Polytechnic, Prof Mersham sees the eBook as an important development.

"Our online course uses the book as a prescribed text which will make it very easy for users to access it, with the bonus that it is cheaper than the print version. In the modern world of learning, where people battle to fit study in with busy work schedules, the ability to access learning whenever possible, anywhere, on any device, has become vital."

The eBook is also able to be downloaded onto smart phone, tablet or laptop providing access to materials on the move, regardless of internet connectivity.

"Users can also log on at an internet cafe, library or computer lab."

For more information, contact Prof. Gary Mersham at gary.mersham@openpolytechnic.ac.nz or mobile 021 122 6266

Change of comms leadership at Stats NZ

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:50:07 +1200

Denise Mackay starts in her role as Strategic Communications Manager at Statistics New Zealand today.

She takes over the role from Sue McCabe, who was in the role for four years.

Denise has worked in the public, private and not-for-profit sector here in New Zealand, and she has worked internationally. Most recently, she was the Communications Manager at Work and Income, worked as an account director at a boutique Wellington PR agency, and was Communications and Marketing Manager at New Zealand Red Cross.

She has also spent time working with the United Nations in New York, and, as an Army Officer, leading the New Zealand Army's PR and communications function for a number of years.