Vale Tom Brockett

Thomas “Tom” Brockett, a pioneering figure in New Zealand public relations and a mentor to generations of practitioners, passed away on February 20, 2026, in Christchurch, just shy of his 88th birthday.

Originally from England, Tom emigrated to New Zealand in 1960, when he was in his early 20s, to teach English, history and geography at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton. But the classroom could not contain his instinct for wider communication. He began submitting articles to the Waikato Times, soon earning a cadet reporter role and later moving to the Press Gallery, where he served for three years as the paper’s parliamentary correspondent.

Tom transitioned into public relations in the late 1960s, a time when the profession was still defining itself in New Zealand.

He helped establish Network Communications (NZ), which grew into one of New Zealand’s major PR consultancies with international reach. In Christchurch, he was a founding member of the local branch of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ), serving as its chair for two years and contributing to the local committee for many more. Nationally, he served as convenor of the PRINZ Ethics Panel, a role that reflected his unwavering commitment to honesty, transparency, and professional standards.

Tom was an active member of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), serving as New Zealand’s corresponding member and completing two terms as a director on the IPRA Board. He spoke at global conferences and helped organise professional development seminars around the world, always championing ethical, thoughtful communication.

Colleagues remember him not only for his leadership, but for his generosity. As Michael Durie reflected, “He had a greater influence on me than I often realise as both a mentor and manager… he certainly left his mark on the PR world”. Pamela Lindsay (FPRINZ), who worked with Tom for 11 years from 1980, described Tom as a significant early influence and mentor who inspired many in the PR industry, and someone who “generously contributed an enormous amount of his time, energy and knowledge to the establishment of PRINZ both in Christchurch and nationally.’’

Throughout his career, Tom upheld the ethical principles of PRINZ with absolute conviction. He believed that communication carried responsibility, and he lived that belief in every role he held.

Those who worked with him remember his sharp mind, dry humour and unwavering professionalism. He was also, simply, a good man, generous with his time, patient with those learning the craft and committed to helping others succeed.

Tom Brockett leaves a legacy that stretches across classrooms, newsrooms and boardrooms.

He will be remembered with gratitude, respect, and affection.

David Lynch

A longtime colleague and friend since 1986