Laurna White
GRC Partners
Milford,AUK
16
years of professional experience
Strategic communications leader with over 20 years of experience in journalism across print, radio, television, and digital platforms. Transitioned from journalism to local government, managing communications, community relations, and stakeholder engagement. Currently serving as Director at a Government Relations and Strategic Communications agency, fostering impactful relationships across government, business, and community sectors.
Work History
Director
1 Year 11 Months- Facilitate connections for clients across diverse sectors with government agencies, politicians, businesses, philanthropic organisations, and media
- Developing and implementing corporate strategic plans, including annual and financial reports
- Media training
- Implement and oversee crisis management strategies to address urgent public relations issues
- Develop and implement stakeholder and engagement plans
- Nurturing media relations. Maintaining trusted partnerships with news media leaders, editors and reporters
- Major events and activations. From parliamentary showcases and public announcements - hosting the prime minister, senior ministers, officials and international visitors – through to commercial product launches and customer experiences
- Supporting companies and industry with change management of business processes and practices
- Coaching, mentoring and leading teams
General Manager Community Outcomes
2 Years 8 Months- Communications and Economic Development Group Manager. Acting GM Strategy and Policy
- One of four GM’s reporting to the Chief Executive and elected members (council and committees and council-controlled committees)
- One of four GMs reporting to the Chief Executive and elected members (council and committees and council-controlled committees)
- Lead communications across council (internal and external facing)
- Supported chief executives in consulting and implementing internal staff restructuring and change management to align with political, legislative, regulatory, and policy requirements.
- Developing social and economic policies including diversity, equity and inclusion, MOUs with iwi groups on environmental and business projects
- Supported chief executives in consulting and then implementing internal staff restructuring and change management. Each time the objective was to reflect different political, legislative, regulatory and policy requirements and plans
- Oversaw regional and central government contracts including MBIE, DIA, and NZTA.
- Pursued commercial investment and public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities to enhance infrastructure and business development.
- Responsible for oversight of regional and central government contracts including MBIE, DIA, NZTA
- Implementing social change in supporting grassroots community-led aspirations (including sporting, cultural and social impact projects)
- Induction, training and reporting on capital and operational matters to mayors, councillors and community boards
Auckland Bureau New Editor
1 Year 3 Months- Manage Auckland news bureau reporters
- Worked across a number of news and current affairs programmes including Breakfast, Close Up, Seven Sharp, ONE News 6pm
- Cultivated expertise in news production and reporting
- Managed live and pre-recorded interviews with various news presenters and broadcasters
- Planning General Election coverage in 2005 and 2008
- Produced and reported news segments for current affairs programs Seven Sharp and 6pm ONE NEWS
Education
PG Diploma - Business Management
Accreditation - Public Relations
PG Diploma - Journalism
Bachelor of Arts
Skills
Strategic planning
Stakeholder engagement
Crisis management
Media relations
Project management
Decision-making
Team management
Verbal and written communication
Timeline
Director
GRC Partners
09.2024 - CurrentRead More
General Manager Community Outcomes
Thames-Coromandel District Council
12.2022 - 08.2025Read More
Auckland Bureau New Editor
Television New Zealand
12.2010 - 03.2012Read More
University of Auckland
Bachelor of Arts
Read More
University of Auckland
PG Diploma from Journalism
Read More
Public Relations of NZ
Accreditation from Public Relations
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Auckland Business School, University of Auckland
PG Diploma from Business Management
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