Thaka Mandiwona

Key Projects: National Ticketing Solution, Government Aged-Based Fare Concessions, Introduction of Bus Route 4 by Metlink and Metlink Summer Campaign.

As the Communications Lead for Greater Wellington in the $1.3 billion National Ticketing Solution Programme, I drive strategic change communications, ensuring a smooth transition to a unified national payment system.

• Strategic Communications & Marketing – Develop and execute integrated communication and marketing strategies across digital and offline channels to engage both internal and external audiences.
• Media & Public Relations – Crafted compelling press releases, media statements, OIA responses, and key message frameworks to ensure consistency and increase media visibility.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management – Lead engagement with key stakeholders, including Programme Governance Board, Councillors, GW leadership, Māori and iwi, commuters, Snapper, NZTA, and other Public Transport Authorities.
• Thought Leadership – Boosted Metlink's brand presence through strategic marketing campaigns, thought leadership content (whitepapers, blogs, webinars), and proactive media engagement.
• Management & Training – Coached and mentored junior Communications Advisors, providing quality assurance, training, and development to enhance team effectiveness.
• Market Insights & Strategy – Leveraged social listening tools to stay ahead of ticketing trends and refine communication strategies.
• Content & Brand Management – Reviewed national and regional marketing materials to ensure brand alignment with the Metlink brand and create impactful messaging that resonated across all touchpoints.
• Marketing - Developed and implemented successful marketing campaigns to drive customer engagement and increase brand awareness.

Key Projects: Waitaki Draft District Plan, Alps 2 Ocean Revitalisation Project

Led strategic communications for major regional initiatives, for two key Council projects - Waitaki Draft District Plan and Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Revitalisation, driving community engagement, organizational change readiness and stakeholder collaboration while upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

Key contributions include:

• Developed and executed the communications strategy for both community engagement and organizational change readiness on the roll out of the Waitaki Draft District Plan
• Responsible for internal and external change communications strategy development and delivery of relevant engagement and communication plans using relevant media channels.
• Stakeholder engagement with internal and external stakeholders within Te Tiriti Waitangi principles including Federated Farmers, Environment Canterbury, businesses, community groups, schools and more
• Developed training plans and educate communities and key stakeholders on the District Plan Changes through community outreach programs
• Managing media and public relations management
• Advisory role to project teams to ensure change communication practices are followed
• Led the communication strategy for the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Revitalisation, enhancing stakeholder engagement and public awareness.

Key Projects: Farmers Market Harbour Area Improvement, Agribusiness Collaborative Initiative

Passionate about supporting local farmers and community engagement, I successfully managed a team of three while running the Oamaru Farmers market. Key contributions include:

• Developed and implemented operational and communication strategies to promote the Farmers market as a thriving platform for both farmers and the wider community.
• An advocate for the local farmers to the Council and local businesses and ensure that their voice is heard in decision making.
• Manage key relationships and increase vendor and community participation from Māori and Pacific groups
• Crafted compelling press releases and media statements, significantly increasing media coverage.
• Oversaw advertising initiatives through social, newsletters and print, ensuring consistency with brand voice and messaging.
• Managed the Farmer's market budget, ad provide recommendations to the Committee.
• Improved team productivity, through supporting a learning environment and process improvements.

The global leader in Internet Radio Software

Key Projects: Spacial and Triton Merger, Transformation Project, Introduction of Programmatic Radio Ads in APAC region, Website Development, Ongoing sales generating campaigns

• Responsible for strategy development and delivering a range of communication and digital strategies to enhance client experiences and managing the company's image
• Develop and implement the internal and external communications strategy
• Managing media relations and responsible for writing all media, speeches and company articles
• Managing a team of Communications and Marketing specialists, freelancers and agencies
• Responsible for delivering online and offline tactical campaign strategies for both internal & external audiences
• Successfully grown the company's email database to 246,000 through organic sign ups

Agency providing marketing support to stationers and office furniture businesses

• Was responsible for the development of the communication & digital strategy and implementation
• Write content and manage customers email newsletter and company newsletter
• An independent marketing dealer group providing marketing support to stationers and office furniture businesses
• Managed social media pages for Inovocom
• Responsible for managing website content on client's websites

A specialised digital agency offering an array of creative services in online media

• Managed a team of developers and designers to ensure timely website project delivery
• Client facing position which included, interpreting customer briefs, quoting and planning project specifications
• A specialised digital agency offering an array of creative services in online media
• Monitored resource planning, regular documentation, copywriting of communication & marketing material
• Managed every aspect of online marketing, SEO, Emailing, SEM, Ad Network, CRM, Strategies for Social Media

Econet Wireless is a telecommunications group with operations in Africa, Europe and Asia

• Supervised, trained and motivated, inbound call centre staff of 50 people
• Managed office administration, leave applications, designing training programs, interviewing and placement of staff
• Econet Wireless is a telecommunications group with operations in Africa, Europe, South America and East Asia
• Key lead in call centre infrastructure implementation, conducted traffic trend analysis, handled difficult consumers and conducted service follow-ups
• Successfully introduced a Skills Share Program and International Calling Card

One of the pioneers to provide internet marketing services in Zimbabwe

• Managed a team of 4, developed the company marketing strategy, manage website projects and artwork design
• Managed customer relationships and ensured that clients' projects were completed
• One of the pioneers to provide internet marketing services in Zimbabwe