PRINZ 2024 Annual General Meeting
2024-07-25 12:30 - 13:30 (Pacific/Auckland) | Online
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.

Auckland First Thursdays
2024-08-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Hotel Ponsonby, 1 Saint Marys Road, St Marys Bay, Auckland 1011

Building collaborative relationships with Māori and iwi organisations - SOLD OUT
2024-08-01 17:30 - 19:30 | 39 Vivian Street, New Plymouth Central, New Plymouth 4310

Media Training for PR & Communications Professionals with Mary Lambie
2024-08-08 09:00 - 13:00 | TVNZ – 100 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010

Building High Performing Comms Teams
2024-08-13 09:00 - 16:00 | Online

Internal Communications - Innovation Beyond Boundaries
2024-08-26 09:30 - 2024-08-27 12:00

Supporting the Top Table During Times of Change - Breakfast Panel Event
2024-08-27 07:30 - 09:00 | Beyond Recruitment, Level 10, Perpetual Guardian House, 99 Customhouse Quay, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand

First Tuesdays Pub Quiz
2024-09-03 18:00 - 20:00

Tauranga First Thursdays
2024-09-05 17:00 - 18:30, 2024-10-03 17:00 - 18:30, 2024-11-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Picnicka, Elizabeth Towers Level 1/38 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga, 3110, New Zealand

PRINZ Southern's Spring Drinks
2024-09-12 17:30 - 19:00 | The Church Pub, 124 Worcester Street, Christchurch, New Zealand

Waikato Panel Event - The Power of Integrating Marketing and PR: 1+1=3
2024-09-18 17:00 - 18:30 | Gallagher Group conference room, 181 Kahikatea Drive, Hamilton, 181 Kahikatea Drive, Hamilton, 3204, New Zealand

Christchurch Event: Behind the Scenes of Emergency Management Communications
2024-09-27 12:00 - 13:30 | 40 Lichfield Street, 40 Lichfield Street, Christchurch, 8011, New Zealand

IC Futures - Inside Internal Communication
2024-09-30 09:30 - 12:00 | Online

Wellington Event: Political campaigning in the age of AI and what to expect in the US election
2024-10-03 07:30 - 09:00 | JacksonStone House, 3/11 Hunter Street, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand

Auckland First Thursdays
2024-10-03 17:30 - 19:00 | Queens Rooftop, Level 21/1 Queen Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand

SOLD OUT- Hands on with AI: Essential Skills for PR and Communication Professionals
2024-10-09 09:30 - 12:00 | Online

SOLD OUT - Auckland Event: Meet the New Business News Makers - A presentation, panel discussion and networking event
2024-10-15 16:45 - 19:00 | Lion NZ, Level 1, 136 Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand

Leveraging GA4 for PR Success: Crafting Custom PR Dashboards with Looker Studio
2024-10-22 09:30 - 12:30 | Online

Nelson Event - AI in PR: From Next to Now
2024-10-23 09:30 - 12:30 | Nelson Classic Car Museum, 1 Cadillac Way, Nelson, 7011, New Zealand

Nelson Event - Rethinking Reputation
2024-10-23 13:30 - 16:00 | Nelson Classic Car Museum, 1 Cadillac Way, Nelson, 7011, New Zealand

Fellows & Life Member Webinar: Down the Rabbit Hole - What is Misinformation and how to Tackle It
2024-10-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Online

Christchurch Event: Insights from Industry Leaders on Communications in 2024 and Beyond
2024-10-31 16:30 - 18:00 | No. 4 Bar and Restaurant, 4 Mansfield Avenue, St Albans, Christchurch, 8014, New Zealand

Introduction to Public Relations
2024-11-04 09:30 - 2024-11-07 12:00 | Online

Your Comms Career Path and How to Stand Out Within It
2024-11-07 17:30 - 19:00 | Momentum Consulting Offices, Shed 20, Princes Warf, Quay Street, Auckland, 1010

What Makes a Gold Award-Winning Submission: Development West Coast
2024-11-13 12:00 - 13:30 | Online

What Makes a Gold Award-Winning Submission Webinar Series: Palmerston North City Council
2024-11-21 12:00 - 13:30 | Online

What Makes a Gold Award-Winning Submission Webinar Series: Great Scott
2024-11-28 12:00 - 13:30 | Online

Waikato Christmas Catch up
2024-11-28 16:30 - 18:30 | Hāpi Bar, 401 Grey Street, Hamilton, Hamilton East, New Zealand
