About PRINZ

The Public Relations Institute of New Zealand is a non-profit, incorporated society created to promote public relations and communication management in New Zealand, and serve the best interests of the people who practise it. An honorary national executive comprising a national president, immediate past president, president elect, divisional chairs plus co-opted members directs the Institute's affairs through a permanent, professional Auckland-based executive office.

The National President for 2009-10 is Graeme Purches (Community Relations Manager, Trustpower based in Tauranga), Immediate Past President is Fiona Cassidy (PR Consultant, Wellington) and President Elect is Jane Dodd (General Manager, Network PR in Auckland).

PRINZ seeks:

Wider recognition of the role of public relations in management
Higher standards of professionalism
Better qualifications for PR practitioners
An effective forum in which members can share common interests and experience

Key Facts

A national non-profit incorporated society
Aims to promote public relations profession in New Zealand
Honorary national executive
Professional, permanent executive office
Divisions in Northern, Central and Southern - plus regional groups in Tauranga, Hamilton and Dunedin
1,380 members as at June 2009
PRINZ Training - professional development courses
Regular branch and national events
PRINZ On-Line web site
Annual PRINZ Conference
Annual PRINZ Awards
Special member benefits - preferred rates e.g. insurance
Member of the Global Alliance for public relations and communication management, incorporating 60+ member Institutes from around the globe

Membership

Today's public relations executives are drawn from a wide variety of disciplines. Journalism, advertising and marketing are common, but legal, financial, research and commercial backgrounds are becoming more frequent. This reflects a considerable broadening of the role and responsibilities of the public relations executive from the traditional journalistic base. The common denominator is a sound knowledge and understanding of the media; of communication techniques and of business affairs.

PRINZ's paid up membership (1,380 members at June 2009) comprises public relations professionals working in commerce and industry, consultancies, local and central government and other community or business organisations.