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…

July 28th & 29th @ 9:30am - 12:00pm (2 x morning sessions) Overview A successful speech can change the world, but it starts with a…

If you are new to public relations, get ready to enter a profession undergoing a seismic shift.

The purpose of public relations remains the same - building and sustaining the relationships that organisations need to maintain their licence to operate. What has changed are the methods of practice. Artificial intelligence, new communication challenges and stakeholder expectations of transparency and accountability mean practitioners now need broader capabilities and stronger judgement than ever before.