BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//PRINZ - Public Relations Institute of New Zealand - ECPv6.3.4//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:PRINZ - Public Relations Institute of New Zealand X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://prinz.org.nz X-WR-CALDESC:Events for PRINZ - Public Relations Institute of New Zealand REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Pacific/Auckland BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1300 TZOFFSETTO:+1200 TZNAME:NZST DTSTART:20260404T140000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1200 TZOFFSETTO:+1300 TZNAME:NZDT DTSTART:20260926T140000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260728T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260729T120000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260520T012659Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260617T043954Z UID:56851-1785231000-1785326400@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Speechwriting Essentials DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/speechwriting-essentials-4/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PR-16.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260728T180000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260728T210000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260702T004258Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260702T004258Z UID:57577-1785261600-1785272400@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:PRINZ Taranaki Quiz Night DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/prinz-taranaki-quiz-night/ LOCATION:Ate Fortyone\, 41 Tukapa Street\, New Plymouth\, 4310 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2025-banners-73.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260805T070000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260805T083000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260708T023417Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T024021Z UID:57588-1785913200-1785918600@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Tauranga Breakfast Event with Mike Puru: Podcasting for PR DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/tauranga-breakfast-event-with-mike-puru-podcasting-for-pr/ LOCATION:Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology\, Tauranga Campus\, 70 Windermere Drive\, Poike\, Tauranga\, 3112 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Podcasting-Studio_2-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260805T073000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260805T090000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260715T050614Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260803T215741Z UID:57945-1785915000-1785920400@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Learn from a PRINZ Fellow: Insights for internal comms DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/learn-from-a-prinz-fellow-insights-for-internal-comms/ LOCATION:Black Betty Cafe\, 165 Madras Street\, Christchurch\, 8011\, New Zealand ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-banners-16.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260805T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260805T120000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260703T054423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260715T224834Z UID:57609-1785922200-1785931200@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Show Me the Money: Learning the language of Finance DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/show-me-the-money-learning-the-language-of-finance/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2025-banners-75.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260806T070000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260806T090000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260715T054428Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T005454Z UID:57957-1785999600-1786006800@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Kōrero Tika\, Kōrero Māia: Communicating with Māori and Iwi Stakeholders with Confidence and Purpose DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/korero-tika-korero-maia-communicating-with-maori-and-iwi-stakeholders-with-confidence-and-purpose/ LOCATION:Waikato Innovation Park\, 3 Melody Lane\, Hamilton East\, 3216\, New Zealand ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2025-banners-77.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260806T183000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260806T203000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260703T023126Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T222128Z UID:57558-1786041000-1786048200@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:What Makes the News: Inside the Editorial Decision Room DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/what-makes-the-news-inside-the-editorial-decision-room/ LOCATION:Foodstuffs Landing Drive\, 35 Landing Drive\, Auckland\, 2022 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2025-banners-74.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260818T090000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260825T120000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260622T040513Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T001311Z UID:57329-1787043600-1787659200@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:AI Playbook for Behaviour Change DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/ai-playbook-for-behaviour-change-3/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Thinking-Fast-Wise-with-AI-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260827T173000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260827T193000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260729T041911Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T003740Z UID:58328-1787851800-1787859000@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:PRINZ Southern Catch Up at Hotel Montreal DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/prinz-southern-catch-up-at-hotel-montreal/ LOCATION:The Montreal Bar at Hotel Montreal\, 363 Montreal Street\, Christchurch\, New Zealand ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2025-banners-78.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260901T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260908T123000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260629T043519Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T221734Z UID:57495-1788255000-1788870600@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:From Specialist to Strategic Leader DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/from-specialist-to-strategic-leader/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/TN_Proof_Banner_PRINZ_SpecialistToStrategicLeader.png-Specialist-to-Strategic-Leader-1702-x-630-px.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260908T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260910T120000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260302T002530Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T050443Z UID:54974-1788859800-1789041600@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Introduction to Public Relations DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/introduction-to-public-relations-8/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Intro-to-PR-Cover-People-Catherine-Arrow-e1772399595717.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260909T090000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260916T120000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260617T052105Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260830T232409Z UID:57275-1788944400-1789560000@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:The Inside Scoop: Strategic Internal Comms for Your Organisation DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/the-inside-scoop-strategic-internal-comms-for-your-organisation-2/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-banners-47.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260917T170000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260917T183000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260902T011626Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T012554Z UID:58867-1789664400-1789669800@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Tauranga First Thursdays DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/tauranga-first-thursdays-10/ LOCATION:Picnicka\, Elizabeth Towers Level 1/38 Elizabeth Street\, Tauranga\, 3110\, New Zealand ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/First-Thursdays.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260924T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260924T120000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260713T041519Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260713T043951Z UID:57808-1790242200-1790251200@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Mastering AI in PR - Applied AI for Practitioners DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/mastering-ai-in-pr-applied-ai-for-practitioners/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PRKH-Hands-on-White-Phone-e1742172373898.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261001T080000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261031T170000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260917T032626Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T032955Z UID:59064-1790841600-1793466000@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:PRINZ Coffee Connections Programme - October DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/prinz-coffee-connections-programme-october/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/coffee.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261001T170000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261001T190000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260910T004200Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260929T204323Z UID:58955-1790874000-1790881200@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Building Momentum - PRINZ Wellington Committee reborn DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/building-momentum/ LOCATION:Momentum Consulting Wellington\, 3 Queens Wharf\, Wellington\, 6011\, New Zealand ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2025-banners-84.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261005T173000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261005T193000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260917T001328Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T235307Z UID:58977-1791221400-1791228600@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Bridge the Gap DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/bridge-the-gap/ LOCATION:One NZ\, 30 Daldy Street\, Auckland\, New Zealand ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Event-Website-Banner-1920-x-800-.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261014T120000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261014T130000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260922T051233Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T234354Z UID:59224-1791979200-1791982800@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Myths and Facts: Busting the myths about PR and comms Webinar DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/myths-facts-busting-the-myths-about-pr-and-comms-webinar/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2025-banners-Presentation-13.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261019T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261022T120000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260625T033711Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T002614Z UID:57417-1792402200-1792670400@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Public Relations Strategy and Evaluation DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/public-relations-strategy-and-evaluation-8/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/PR-Strategy-and-Evaluation-Catherine-Arrow.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261028T070000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261028T083000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260920T232807Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T020720Z UID:59125-1793170800-1793176200@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Tauranga Breakfast Event: AI and the Future of Communications DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/tauranga-breakfast-event-ai-and-the-future-of-communications/ LOCATION:The Tauranga Club\, Level 5\, Devonport Towers/72 Devonport Road\, Tauranga\, 3110 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2025-banners-89.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261028T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261104T123000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260827T014119Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T014317Z UID:58278-1793179800-1793795400@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Communicating through online harm: Navigating harassment and false information while still doing great work DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/communicating-through-online-harm-navigating-harassment-and-false-information-while-still-doing-great-work/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2025-banners-81.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261029T070000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261029T090000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260923T215852Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T223754Z UID:59280-1793257200-1793264400@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:How do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online? DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/how-do-you-stand-out-when-everyone-is-competing-for-attention-online/ LOCATION:Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill Street\, New Plymouth\, 4310 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2025-banners-90.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261103T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261103T120000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181200 CREATED:20260923T000327Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T000327Z UID:59255-1793698200-1793707200@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Mastering AI in PR - Applied AI for Practitioners DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/mastering-ai-in-pr-applied-ai-for-practitioners-2/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PRKH-Hands-on-White-Phone-e1742172373898.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261105T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261110T113000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181201 CREATED:20260827T021030Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T021030Z UID:58732-1793871000-1794310200@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Incorporting Tiriti-Based Principles into Public Relations Practice DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/incorporting-tiriti-based-principles-into-public-relations-practice/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2025-banners-58.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261111T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261118T123000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181201 CREATED:20260910T233750Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T214251Z UID:58730-1794389400-1795005000@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:How to Optimise Your Social and Media Mahi DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/how-to-optimise-your-social-and-media-mahi/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2025-banners-86.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261117T090000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261117T120000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181201 CREATED:20260901T002916Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T002916Z UID:58809-1794906000-1794916800@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Show Me the Money: Learning the Language of Finance DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/show-me-the-money-learning-the-language-of-finance-2/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2025-banners-75.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261124T093000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261201T120000 DTSTAMP:20261008T181201 CREATED:20260901T032118Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T002121Z UID:58775-1795512600-1796126400@prinz.org.nz SUMMARY:Launching and Landing Stories the Media Loves DESCRIPTION:29th October 2026 @ 7:00am - 9:00am \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n OverviewHow do you stand out when everyone is competing for attention online?Join us for an engaging conversation with former New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and digital marketing specialist Shawn Thomas as they explore how the digital communications landscape has evolved and what it means for communications and marketing professionals today.Drawing on his experience as an early adopter of social media in campaigning and public engagement\, Neil – a former communications professional – will reflect on the changing role of digital communications and share insights from his time in community leadership.Shawn will bring a marketing and analytics lens to the discussion\, examining the evolution of social media\, how organisations can cut through the noise\, and what the data is telling us about effective digital engagement.This breakfast session is designed for communications\, marketing\, engagement and public relations professionals looking to understand emerging trends\, digital data and connect with others working in the sector across the region. Venue: Toi Foundation\, 121 Gill St\, New PlymouthCost: $20 for PRINZ members\, $30 for non-PRINZ members. Includes beverages and light breakfast. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Your presenter is..Shawn Thomas is a marketing lecturer and educator with a track record across content\, paid media\, and brand building. He works in marketing and communications at MAST Academy and teaches digital marketing at NZIE (now known as the Digital Marketing School\, covering content creation and paid advertising. He has grown a personal audience of more than 130\,000 followers across Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube\, turning content strategy into real-world results\, and he brings that hands-on experience straight into the classroom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Neil Holdom is a washed up local body politician notorious for infuriating groups on both the far left and far right for initiatives including trying to sell off half of the public land at New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Golf Course to start a land development company\, staunchly advocating for Taranaki’s oil and gas sector and industry\, supporting cogovernance with mana whenua and jacking up rates to fund environmental initiatives\, walkways\, transport\, water and sporting infrastructure as well as economic development and the occasional cycle lane. While in politics\, the thing that irked Holdom’s detractors most was his habit of winning elections\, serving three terms as Mayor of New Plymouth\, having come into local government with no previous experience. Married to Melissa\, Neil originally trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic’s School of Language and Communications in the nineties\, before that earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy\, Political Science and Communications at Victoria University of Wellington. Neil worked in media both as a journalist and community newspaper editor before switching to the dark side in 2003\, joining energy utility Powerco\, where he earned his accreditation in public relations from PRINZ and went on to study general and strategic management at Macquarie Graduate Management School in Sydney. Retiring from politics (of his own accord) in 2025\, Neil is currently completing a 12 month contract as Establishment Chief Executive for Wai Hononga Water Services Limited\, the New Plymouth District Council’s new water services entity and he also runs TX1 Insight\, a boutique management consulting business assisting businesses with strategy\, communications and complex challenges. Neil is living proof you don’t have to be particularly bright or interesting to get things done in the world\, you simply need to build high trust relationships\, pay attention to detail\, pick trends\, be optimistic and not be too worried about what people think about you.  URL:https://prinz.org.nz/event/launching-and-landing-stories-the-media-loves/ LOCATION:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://prinz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2025-banners-82.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR