PRINZ - Public Relations Institute of New Zealand

It's not a dirty little secret - it's Central Networking Drinks!
2024-02-15 17:00 - 20:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Dirty Little Secret Rooftop Bar, 54 Taranaki St, Wellington
23rd & 24th September 2026 @ 9:30am - 12:30pm (2 x morning sessions)

OverviewThis 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. At the end of this course participants will leave with: Practical critical thinking tools to immediately apply to business decisions and strategic planning.Decision-making frameworks that promote scientific thinking over defensive reasoning.Techniques to identify and counter cognitive biases in themselves and their teams.Strategies to nurture organizational skepticism without creating toxic negativity.Methods to evaluate AI-generated insights and information sources more critically.Actionable approaches to create a culture that rewards questioning and intellectual humility.Self-assessment techniques to recognise when you’re not thinking critically, andEasily applicable insights backed by 30+ years of research and insights industry experience.Ideal for communications, PR, and strategy professionals navigating AI-driven insights, complex narratives, and high-stakes decision-making, this course will sharpen the thinking skills that underpin effective leadership and sound strategy.

Meet the facilitator Carl Davidson is an insights professional with a social scientist’s heart. He has built a distinctive career bridging academia, government policy and commercial settings. In 2006 he founded Research First Ltd and oversaw its growth into one of New Zealand’s most respected insight firms. In 2010 Carl was appointed the Chief Commissioner of the New Zealand Families Commission and tasked with transforming it into a social policy research and evaluation agency. After nearly two decades at Research First, global funding shifts and pandemic disruptions prompted a reset. So in 2025 Carl launched The Curiosity Company:https://www.curiositycompany.co.nz/ In 2023 he was honoured as a Fellow of the Research Association of New Zealand (RANZ) and celebrated alongside Research First for winning the RANZ Market Research Effectiveness Supreme Award that year. In 2023 he was also named as Global Insights250 winner, an award “celebrating the worldwide pioneers, leaders and innovators in market research, data-driven marketing and insights”. The Insight250 presents a unique view into academic, enterprise, agency, technology, media and association data-driven leaders around the globe.

Shotgun Blast from the Deep
2024-02-13 16:30 - 18:00 | NIWA, Gate 10 Silverdale Road Hillcrest, Parking lot 135C Silverdale Road, Hillcrest, Hamilton

Ethics, Risk and Reputation in the Age of AI
2024-02-01 09:30 - 12:00 | Online

PR Horizons
2024-01-23 09:30 - 2024-01-25 12:00 | Online

Waikato Christmas Drinks
2023-12-12 16:00 - 20:00 | Mr Pickles Bar & Eatery, 298 Victoria Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton, New Zealand

Transforming Internal Communication in the Age of AI
2023-12-05 09:30 - 2023-12-07 12:00 | Online

PRINZ Southern’s End of Year Celebration
2023-11-30 17:30 - 19:30 | Dux Central 144 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011

PRINZ Special General Meeting
2023-11-29 12:00 - 12:30 | https://prinz.org.nz/event/prinz-special-general-meeting/

How to secure a PR seat at the Executive table - SOLD OUT
2023-11-16 17:30 - 19:30 | The Front Room, Spark NZ, 167 Victoria Street West

The View from the Top on Communications - SOLD OUT
2023-11-16 17:15 - 20:00 | Wharewaka Function Centre,, Taranaki Wharf, Wellington

Mission Sustainable: Paving the way for the Communications Sector
2023-11-10 12:00 - 13:30 | https://prinz.org.nz/event/mission-sustainable-paving-the-way-for-the-communications-sector/

IC Futures - Inside Internal Communication - SOLD OUT
2023-11-07 09:30 - 12:00, 2023-09-07 09:30 - 12:00 | Online

Engaging Effectively with Passionate Communities
2023-11-02 16:30 - 19:00 | Beca Hamilton Offices, Level 2, Garden Place, Hamilton

Language Matters - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for PR Professionals
2023-10-27 12:00 - 13:30 | https://prinz.org.nz/event/language-matters-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-for-pr-professionals/

Managing PR, Media and Communications for a Global Event
2023-10-26 17:30 - 19:00 | Meredith Connell Offices, Level 7, MC Centre, Hardinge St,, Auckland

Creating that Special Event - The Essential Tools for Success
2023-10-17 09:30 - 12:30 | Online

First Thursday in October
2023-10-05 17:30 - 19:30 | St Alice, Viaduct Harbour, Level 1/204 Quay St, Auckland

Working well with the fourth estate - Journalists and PRINZ Panel Discussion
2023-09-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Generator, 12 Madden St, Auckland, 0627, New Zealand

Measurement and Evaluation for Communications
2023-09-28 09:00 - 2023-09-29 12:00 | Online

The art of Media Pitching - Expert Panel Discussion
2023-09-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Te Whatu Ora Boardroom, Level 1, 32 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch

Waikato PRINZ/MCSA networking breakfast
2023-09-27 08:00 - 09:00 | The Pā, University of Waikato, Gate 5, Hillcrest Rd, Hamilton

Disinformation and its impact on PR and communications in Aotearoa
2023-09-22 12:00 - 13:30 | Online

Breakfast with Barry
2023-09-13 07:30 - 09:00 | Google NZ Head Office, 10 Madden St, Central Auckland

PRINZ Awards Wellington Winners - Networking and Insights
2023-09-12 17:00 - 19:30 | Robert Walters Offices, Harbour Tower, 2 Hunter St, Wellington, New Zealand

First Thursday in September
2023-09-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Reign & Pour, Ground Floor, Shop 51/7 Queen Street, Commercial Bay,, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand

Taranaki Midwinter Networking Event
2023-08-31 17:30 - 19:00 | Manifold Coworking Space, 49 Currie St., New Plymouth

Partnering with Maori to get results - Breakfast Session
2023-08-31 07:30 - 09:00 | Nau Room, Ground Floor, Te Puni Kōkiri House, 143 Lambton Quay, Wellington

Digital PR 101
2023-08-23 09:00 - 15:00 | Online

Cyber-crime communication - insights from the front lines
2023-08-17 16:30 - 18:00 | DDB Offices, Level 4, 119 Great North Rd,, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand
