Raise a glass to our local PR champions

This calls for a celebration! There are so many Waikato-based finalists for the PRINZ awards this year, your Waikato committee is hosting a get-together to congratulate them, and wish them luck for awards night.

We’ll also hear from previous winners and judges, Peta Goldsworthy and Heather Claycomb, who’ll briefly share insights into the PRINZ awards, along with some quick thoughts on the opportunities and challenges ahead for our industry.

All current members are invited to attend the 2026 PRINZ Annual General Meeting. 

In a year where there has been much change and uncertainty in our industry, join us to see how your industry body fared during these challenging times. This meeting will be conducted online with links sent to registered members the day prior. Election of new board members to replace those completing their current tenure will be included in the agenda.

Register below!

This Fellows & Life Members Dinner is a fantastic opportunity to get together with your peers and catch up on news and events for the year. As always, this dinner will be held on the night before the PRINZ conference and PRINZ Awards Gala Dinner and on the day of the AGM.

After the PRINZ AGM from 3pm to 5pm, the dinner will be at The Portland Public House at 463 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland.

We hope you can join us!

What does it take to make the right call when trust is fragile, attention is scarce and change never slows down? We will address all this and more over one day of learning at the 2026 PRINZ Conference.

This conference will bring together industry experts, thought leaders and practitioners in related fields like politics, media and social science. Across a dynamic program of keynotes, panels and interactive discussions, we’ll unpack the critical challenges and opportunities in the current communications landscape. From navigating political and economic uncertainty to understanding global trends and market insights, you’ll walk away with a deeper perspective on the current state of the sector.

Join the celebration of the annual PRINZ Awards at the Hilton in Auckland.

This prestigious event will celebrate the achievements and excellence of our members in the field of public relations and communications. The awards gala dinner will be held on Thursday, 4 June 2026 at the Hilton and tables will seat groups of 10.

The evening will feature the presentation of the PRINZ Awards, announcing the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners of 14 main categories as well as PR Consultancy of the Year, PR In-House Team of the Year and the coveted PRINZ Supreme Award.

Join the PRINZ Awards finalists, APR graduates, the PRINZ Board and members of the PRINZ College of Fellows and catch up with your peers, learn from the best, and have a fabulous time!

Effective public relations practice requires more than strong messaging in NZ. Many cases call for cultural understanding, integrity, and a genuine commitment to Tiriti-based principles. This dynamic, practice-focused workshop is designed to equip PR professionals with the tools and confidence to work responsibly and respectfully within an Aotearoa context.

The Tauranga sub-committee invites you to shake off winter and connect with the comms community at our Winter Mix & Mingle. This relaxed, friendly event brings together public relations, communications, marketing and journalism professionals from across the Bay of Plenty. On the night, you’ll take part in a low‑stress speed networking round, designed to help you make meaningful connections without the awkwardness. Don’t worry – we’ll do the leg work to make it easy. You just need to show up!

Did we mention there is also a top shelf gin and vodka prize pack worth $140 up for grabs thanks to award-winning Clarity Distilling Company - who are based right here in Tauranga? Join us at Picnicka on Thursday 11th June, from 4.30pm, with networking fun kicking off at 5.30pm. Free fries provided.

This seminar explores why critical thinking is far more difficult than most people assume and why even experienced professionals often fall into hidden cognitive traps that affect judgement, strategy, and decision-making.

Drawing on more than 30 years of social science research and insights industry experience, Carl will reveal how people are naturally wired to defend their views rather than test them, how organisational cultures can unintentionally suppress questioning, and how cognitive biases quietly shape the way we interpret information.

If you’re lost in the maze of AI - you can’t afford to stay lost any longer. Hands on AI is your escape route, sharing with you the best ways to use AI in daily practice. It is a session designed to equip you with practical, actionable techniques so you can find your way.

AI is embedded in our daily activity and we’re now moving in to the realm of agentic AI, where the technology becomes your active collaborator, capable of automating tasks, interpreting complex data and supporting strategic decision-making in ways not possible just a few months ago.

Step into the world of government relations through the lens of Alice in Wonderland. In this hands-on workshop, you will understand and demystify how to plan for and engage with government personnel and departments.

This workshop has been designed to enhance the key stakeholder engagement of public relations professionals. Key stakeholders are those individuals who have the most influence on a project or programme of work. From prioritising stakeholders to the psychology of influence and skills of active listening and the behavioural drivers of trust, this workshop includes completing a live stakeholder engagement plan and will equip you to immediately lift your key stakeholder engagement.

Thursday 23rd July 2026 @ 10am - 12pm Overview Led by professional director and PRINZ Life Member Tracey Bridges, this short course answers all your…