PRINZ - Public Relations Institute of New Zealand
PRINZ - Public Relations Institute of New Zealand
Prinz

Members Menu

« All Events

Jul 30

Waikato Event- He Ara Whakamua: Pathways in Comms

July 30 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Free – $25.00

Wednesday 30 July 2025 @ 5:00pm-7:30pm

Overview

What does a career in communications look like in 2025 — and how can you get there?

Join us for He Ara Whakamua, an evening of koorero, kai, and whakawhanaungatanga as Maaori professionals across comms, marketing, and related fields share their journeys. From recent graduates to experienced leaders, our speakers will reflect on their career paths, the skills that matter, and how they stay grounded in kaupapa Maaori while navigating a fast-changing industry.
 
This is a space to celebrate Maaori success, storytelling, and mahi — and to explore how te ao Maaori and the world of comms can come together to create meaningful impact. Whether you’re a student, just starting out, or already working in the sector, you’ll leave with insights, inspiration, and connections to help guide your next steps.
 
Now in its fifth year, this kaupapa is a proud partnership between PRINZ and Waikato-Tainui, showcasing the power of collaboration and the importance of supporting rangatahi into the industry.
 
This year’s event has been organised by Terah McCarthy, the 2024 PRINZ Waikato Matariki Scholarship recipient and a third-year Bachelor of Communication student at the University of Waikato. Terah will also MC the evening, and hopes that students will come away feeling more confident about making the leap from study to mahi. The 2025 scholarship recipient will be announced on the night – come along, enjoy some kai and koorero, and show your support. All welcome.
 

Parking is available at Gate 10 Silverdale Road, Hillcrest. Please ensure you leave enough time to park and walk to the Waikato Management School for the event. You can access the venue via the Law School entrance on Hillcrest Road, or via the Waikato Management School building. Look for the PRINZ Waikato flag or follow the signs to MCB 1.36.

Your panellists are:

Ngatupara Ritai (Ngaati Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Taranaki Iwi, Ngaaruahine, Ngaati Hauaa) studied at the University of Waikato majoring in Strategic Management and minoring in Te Reo Maaori and Digital Business. He now works as a Digital Coordinator at the Hamilton City Council where he helps tell council stories across a range of digital platforms. Ngatupara appreciates the precise nature of digital communications, which goes hand in hand with his keen eye for detail.

 

Xanthe Wainui-Mackle (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngā Ariki Kaipūtahi and Te Arawa) is a University of Waikato Bachelor of Communication graduate, majoring in Public Relations and Marketing. She now works as an Account Executive at King St Advertising in Hamilton. Xanthe enjoys the fast pace nature of agency life and is passionate about meaningful communication building, that makes an impact for customers and stakeholders. 

Donna-Lee Biddle (Ngāti Pikiao, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Maniapoto) holds a Master of Arts in Communication from Wintec, where she explored the role of media in reporting Maaori stories and developed a cultural guideline for media and tertiary institutions. She spent nearly a decade as a journalist, primarily at Stuff, covering crime, justice, and social issues, and working on long-form investigations. Donna-Lee now works as an investigator at Te Kāhui Tātari Tūre | Criminal Cases Review Commission, where her communications skills support complex and meaningful mahi investigating potential miscarriages of justice. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of Maaori journalists and comms professionals.
 
 

Maioha Panapa (Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Whānau a Apanui, Waikato-Maniapoto) is a reporter for Aukaha News and a proud graduate of the University of Waikato, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Maaori and Indigenous Studies and Anthropology in 2017. A former Te Rito journalism cadet with NZME and Whakaata Māori (Māori Television), Maioha has also worked as a communications advisor for Waikato-Tainui. She brings a strong background in journalism, broadcasting, and communications, with a passion for telling stories that uplift Maaori voices and perspectives.

Justin McIntyre (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa) graduated from the University of Waikato in 2006 with a Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS), majoring in Human Resource Management, Marketing, and International Management. Justin currently works as the People & Culture Business Partner at Waikato-Tainui, where he partners with a dedicated team to support kaimahi in delivering initiatives that empower and uplift Waikato-Tainui tribal members. Justin’s korero will cover how when applying for mahi, preparation is everything. Understand who you are, the journey that has shaped you, what you aim to achieve, and how you can contribute to your prospective employer’s goals – while staying true to your own.

Non-members and students are welcome. For catering purposes and to ensure we have enough chairs set up in the room, please register your intention to attend below. You will have to set up an account with PRINZ to purchase or register (student tickets are free), which only takes a few minutes. Ngaa mihi nui.

Please contact bethany@prinz.org.nz if you have any questions or need assistance to register for this event.

Details

Date:
July 30
Time:
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Cost:
Free – $25.00

Venue

University of Waikato – Waikato Management School, Room MSB 1.36
Hillcrest Road
Hamilton, 3216 New Zealand + Google Map

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Member Ticket to Careers in Communications (GST Inc)
$ 15.00
51 available
Non-Member Ticket to Careers in Communications (GST Inc)
$ 25.00
51 available
Student Ticket to Careers in Communications (GST Inc)
$ 0.00
51 available
Quantity: 0
Total: $ 0.00
Log in to purchase