Top role a plus for North

The first Northlander to be appointed president of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand says the region will benefit from her new role.

"I will be talking about where I live and work, so it will raise Northland's profile," Pauline Rose said.

"I like the fact that I can lead the organisation from a distant place."

The job involves giving "leadership and direction" to the organisation's executive team in Auckland, she said.

PRINZ is an organisation that represents public relations and communications management professionals as well as students in these areas.

Ms Rose moved to Northland in 2002 where she worked as a library manager and in strategic communications for the Whangarei District Council.

She established her own consultancy, Prose NZ Ltd, in 2011.

Ms Rose said she has diverse experience and skills that will benefit her new role.

Before becoming president she filled a leadership role, called president elect, within the organisation for two years.

The role naturally transitions into the presidency role, she said.

"I have been a fellow [of PRINZ] since 1994, judged the PRINZ awards for four years.

"I've done a lot of other general management work. I bring all-round skills to the job.

"PRINZ has firmly established its role in professional development and advocacy for communications professionals, and is now in its 60th year. It is well supported by the industry with a strong membership and financial position, and a balanced geographical spread of members," Ms Rose said.

"I acknowledge the contribution of previous leaders and the national office in getting to where we are today, and am honoured to have the opportunity to contribute as PRINZ's president for the next year."

The role of president lasts for one year.

Ms Rose's background includes over 25 years in marketing and communications in New Zealand and Australia.

She has worked in large consultancies and held in-house roles with corporations including AXA, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rainbow Corporation, Russell McVeagh and Sky Network.

Ms Rose has been a judge of the Northland Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards for the last eight years.

Bruce Fraser from the Bay of Plenty has been appointed the new president elect. He has held board positions within the Sustainable Business Network and is currently a trustee on the NZ Farm Environment Trust.