Our People

Network is a very special agency. To have been around since 1971 and still be relevant is a splendid testament to the legacy that goes before me. It is my absolute privilege to lead such a diverse team of talented and passionate PR professionals. Even on our most mundane days (because we all have them) their dedication to our clients and the agency is inspiring.

We talk a lot about intelligent PR because that’s what we aspire to and then deliver. We believe influence is earnt and we work hard to help our clients earn the right to help shape New Zealand’s conversations.  

Personally, I didn’t set out to be a PR. I just loved fashion and writing and an opportunity at London Fashion Week set me on a course for a career that has so far lasted 25 years. 

I still love fashion, but my real passion at work is now reputation and issues management. I take a great deal of personal pride in being able to help people and their organisations navigate their way through issues.

Outside of work, I am at peace with the things I can’t do, like bake a cake. And I have two teenagers that allow me to practice my conflict resolution skills on a daily basis.

• Award-winning public relations professional with over 25 years’ experience
• Experienced leader in consumer PR, corporate communications, issues and reputation management
• Extensive experience managing community relations and consultation projects for global unities and infrastructure companies
• Led brand repositioning strategies for international fashion and sportswear brands
• Has been leading the Network team since 2014

While not the advice I’d give every client, sometimes you’re not going to know whether you’ve made the right move until you’ve done it. And that’s what makes life so exciting.

I arrived in Auckland almost 20 years ago on a year-long sabbatical from the frankly ludicrous job as a nightclub magazine journalist. Every step and misstep I’ve taken since has brought its own reward - and ultimately, professionally, brought me to Network.

I absolutely love getting into the nuts and bolts of how our clients operate to provide them with a structured approach to communication that can support their overall business goals. My writing background definitely provides a strong foundation to the away I approach PR, but I’m equally influenced by the experiences I’ve had working with communities, government agencies, CEOs and the full gamut of our society - from the good guys to the ratbags - and the challenge of delivering an authentic, consistent message without always being able to rely on a common language or channel.

When not working, I can often be found chasing after a tennis ball, golf ball or grinning 8-year old. All with varying levels of success.

• Award-winning PR professional and campaign strategist with 20+ years experience
• 10 years Government Agency experience in senior communication and engagement roles
• Major infrastructure delivery specialism: transport, housing, aviation
• Expertise in corporate communications, media management and stakeholder/community engagement

During most of my working days there is usually a moment, mid-task, where I stop and think – wow, how cool is this!?

My career actually started with student work experience at Network (the glamour of packing product launch mailers), but quickly evolved to include the most fascinating work; first at Ports of Auckland and then back at Network, where I’ve been now for more than 10 years. From climbing a container crane to filming in an award-winning vineyard, from speaking with a business leader to interviewing a record-setting blood donor, from crunching real estate data to tracking the latest media trend – no two days are the same.

An inherent drive to inquire and add value to an organisation’s communication strategy is something Network clients can count on from every one of our consultants. We know it’s a privilege to work in your organisation, and we grab every opportunity to learn, contribute and deliver results.

Personally, I am most content in front of multi-faceted projects where I get to work alongside other professionals in the broader comms and marketing mix and immerse myself in finding the best micro and macro PR solutions. And I love counting up and toasting to the wins at the end…

When I am not keeping plates spinning at work, I can be found planning my young family’s next big caravan holiday or boat trip (that is, working out how to Tetris-style pack a magnitude of stuff into a very small space).

• Award-winning communications professional with 15+ years’ experience, including 10 years with the Network team
• In-depth experience across broad range of sectors: FMCG, infrastructure and logistics, property, health and not-for-profit
• Practiced leader in strategy development, planning and delivery as part of large integrated marketing programmes
• Expertise in media management, corporate communications and consumer PR

I’ve always had a strong passion for food and nutrition, and I love being able to cut through and simplify the jargon to share what’s really important to help people live better, healthier lives.  

As a Registered Dietitian with over a decade’s experience I’ve been lucky enough to put my skills to use across the nutrition sector, from managing Hospital foodservices New Zealand-wide, to training new graduate Dietitians and running my own nutrition business. From this I’ve been able to build an expansive food and nutrition network to stay on the pulse with the latest developments in the forever changing food and nutrition space. 

Here at Network, I head up the FoodGroup helping our clients bridge strategy, communications, and nutrition by providing both technical and universal advice across the food and nutrition space. 

When not at work, I can be found enjoying all that our village of Matakana provides, from feeding the resident eels with my two children, picnicking at the quaint surrounding beaches to indulging in the local wines with friends. 

Being a passionate foodie, I believe food is so much more than just fuel, it’s a way to connect, share, and celebrate. I’m intrigued by the diverse ways people enjoy food and how it brings us together, nourishing not only our bodies but also our souls.

As a Registered Dietitian, I love blending my nutrition expertise with my knack for communication. Building on a background in Human Nutrition and Physiology and a master’s degree in Dietetics from Massey University. With a strong background in customer service and experience in the New Zealand food industry, I have developed a deep understanding of customer/consumer behaviour and how businesses can meet those needs. 

I enjoy crafting content that is not only engaging but also evidence-based, helping to cut through the noise and clarify information for different audiences. Whether it’s creating captivating social media posts or writing thoughtful articles, I’m driven by a passion for helping others make informed choices about their health and well-being. Outside of work you can find me at one of the many beaches on the North Shore or trying out the latest foodie cafes and restaurants! I enjoy a range of sports including dance, barre, soccer and even taking up pickleball!

My friends and family would tell you that I am their go-to person if they want plans made or something organised. I also firmly stand by the ‘fail to plan, plan to fail’ motto, which flows across both my personal and work life, and has led me down the Public Relations pathway.

Although I was raised in Australia, I have strong family ties to New Zealand and fostered a love for the country during my studies. In 2021, I crossed the ditch to complete a Bachelor of Communication at Massey University in Auckland, with a short-term exchange to the UK in 2023. Throughout my degree, I made the most of my love of sport with internships at multiple National Sporting Organisations here in NZ.

When I’m not at work, you can often find me talking my friends’ ears off about my latest sporting obsession or in a quiet corner reading and building my future library!

The list of the many prominent New Zealand companies and individuals who have benefited from Dennis’ wise counsel is certainly too long to mention, but nonetheless awe-inspiring.

He has led the Network team across four decades to win numerous international and New Zealand public relations awards. His strategic expertise has formed the basis for a career that’s encompassed corporate positioning, company IPOs, takeovers and defences, government relations, and crisis and issues management. He’s a behind-the-scenes man, and somewhat of an enigma. However, there’s nothing mysterious about the common sense and well-founded approach that Dennis provides to both the Network team and his long-standing client base: analyse what’s really at the heart of any issue.

Dennis brings clarity of thinking and astute focus to complex situations, always with a mind to maintain an independent perspective and voice of reason in the midst of turmoil. He’s led a career where he’s thrived on the urgent nature of issues and reputation management, and has built relationships established on trust and reliable expertise.

With more than 30 years’ consultancy experience and a PRINZ Fellow, Paul has an expansive understanding of communications in New Zealand and internationally; and direct experience of a wide range of public affairs and business activities. 

 He has a number of long-standing clients; and has worked with one of the country’s leading food processing and marketing businesses continuously for 28 years. A go-to expert for issues and crisis management, he provides comprehensive and insightful communications strategy, and is a key contributor to Network Communication and The FoodGroup.

He enjoys supporting and being supported by the younger members of the team. A significant interest outside of work is recreational kayaking and photographing his mini adventures around the region’s shores.