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.

Mastering AI in PR is a highly practical, live online session designed to help practitioners strengthen their ability to apply AI, using the technology with greater purpose, confidence and control.

The session takes you into the current operating environment, exploring how models and workplace tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, Gemini and DeepSeek can be used in daily practice to support strategy, analysis, planning, content development, stakeholder insight, consultation, issues and risk management.

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.

Whether you are completely new to Tiriti-based practices or looking to strengthen your current approach, this session provides clear, practical guidance you can apply immediately in your communications work.

Social media is one of the most powerful tools in a communicator’s kit – but only if you’re using it with intention.

This course is for PR and communications professionals who want to stop posting and hoping, and start working with a strategy that actually delivers. Grounded in Te Ao Māori values of connection, community, and authentic storytelling, participants will learn how to audit their current social presence, identify what’s working and what isn’t, and build a content approach that aligns with their organisation’s goals. AI tools are introduced as practical time-savers – not replacements for creativity, but accelerators of it. Participants leave with a clear, actionable content plan and the confidence to execute it. Ideal for communications professionals managing social media as part of a broader role, who want to work smarter, not harder.

You don’t need to become an accountant, but you do need to know enough to ask the right questions, understand what the numbers are telling you, and work effectively alongside finance teams.

Developed in partnership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, this practical workshop has been designed specifically for public relations and communications professionals who regularly collaborate with finance colleagues, contribute to financial or corporate reporting, or want to broaden their commercial and strategic business acumen.

Already know the basics of PR but struggle to find stories worth telling inside a large or complex organisation? This practical course will help you uncover, shape and sense-check real stories from your organisation, fast.

Designed for communications professionals working in government, infrastructure, corporate and other multi-stakeholder environments, this course focuses on the realities of PR when there are multiple layers of sign-off, reputational considerations and competing stakeholder interests.

You’ll learn a repeatable approach to finding newsworthy stories within your own organisation, even when it feels like there’s “nothing to say”. You’ll also learn how to test and strengthen ideas, navigate internal pressures, and make that crucial first contact with a journalist count.