PRINZ Kōrero: From Elsewhere to Aotearoa

Selling all your belongings and moving to a country halfway around the world is no small decision. With it comes a myriad of obstacles to clear and new relationships to build. From securing visas to ensuring your dog can make the trip, the logistics are mind-boggling. For public relations practitioners, a whole new challenge emerges as you enter the workforce. Familiar processes are gone, and the networks that built your career are replaced by a room full of strangers.

Yet at the end of this journey is a career rich with opportunity. The two of us have had very different experiences; one found permanent work within seven months, while the other is still navigating the recruitment market. Yet we both know we made the right move. Aotearoa New Zealand offers a superb lifestyle, welcoming people, and a professional sector that genuinely prioritises authentic human connection over corporate clinicality.

We sat down recently to chat with Susanne and Bethany from the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand to unpack what our voyages have looked like so far. Watch the full webinar below to hear us chat through these insights in detail, share our personal hurdles, and discuss how Kiwi employers can better embrace global perspectives.

If you are navigating a similar path, or looking to hire international talent, here is what we have learned:

• Core skills are universal, but context is everything: PR fundamentals don’t change at the border, but success here requires actively unlearning overseas market paces. You must lean into what makes New Zealand unique—specifically, a vibrant local media landscape and a profound commitment to Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Trust and flattened hierarchies rule: The Kiwi sector highly values transparency. Mistakes are admitted openly, and leadership is collaborative. Senior leaders work right alongside their advisors rather than simply delegating from above.
• Leave your shyness on the plane: The New Zealand communication sector runs on relationships, not transactional applications. The PR community is exceptionally generous with its time. Securing that first foothold requires being brave and reaching out directly. A casual coffee chat remains the most powerful way to bridge the “local experience” gap.
• And one final thing: Don’t listen to those who tell you it can’t be done. Building a career takes time. Re-building one takes resilience and a willingness to put yourself out there, but it absolutely can be done.

Moving to Aotearoa was a lifelong dream for one of us and a surprise opportunity for the other, yet both of us are looking to the future with absolute optimism. If you’re new to New Zealand and wondering where to start, don’t be afraid to reach out. Most people in this profession remember what it’s like to be the new person in the room, and many are incredibly generous with their time and advice. We certainly benefited from that generosity ourselves.