One Plus One hires leading Māori engagement strategist

AUCKLAND, Tuesday: Parnell-based independent consultancy One Plus One Communications has appointed Shayne Walker, former ceo of Ngāti Porou Holding Company, to offer “authentic and transformative” Māori engagement strategy and implementation to clients.

The new hiring arose from a growing recognition from clients of the need to meaningfully weave Māori engagement and tikanga together with commercial goals, and to manage the end-to-end communication of that haerenga authentically.

Walker is actively involved in a number of Māori and community governance roles and, in addition to having led the commercial arm of Aotearoa’s second-largest iwi Ngāti Porou, has held prominent commercial roles including head of Māori business at BNZ and co-chaired the Hawkes Bay Regional Economic Development Strategy.

His expertise spans financial, primary industry, healthcare, and public sectors, complementing One Plus One’s significant presence and interest in those areas.

“Shayne is thoughtful and smart with a business pedigree that speaks for itself, but beyond that he’s a pillar of his community, a genuine and caring person with immense mana.”

Kelly Bennett, founder and MD at One Plus One, said: “Shayne Walker has already demonstrated an impressive ability to make meaningful connections and identify transformative opportunities for clients to engage with Māori.

“Shayne is thoughtful, smart and strategic with a business pedigree that speaks for itself, but beyond that he’s a pillar of his community, a genuine and caring person with immense mana – as we witnessed when he swung into action in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. We’re grateful and proud to work alongside him.”

Walker says he’s enjoyed working with the team at One Plus One and is motivated to take clients on a journey that begins in kōrero but ultimately results in impactful action.

“One Plus One, as a leading communications consultancy, has the unique ability to seed a kōrero inside some of the businesses and organisations that are shaping Aotearoa, and what I can do is ensure that kōrero is had in the right way, with the right people and that the follow-through is there to make a difference.”

Reach out
Clients or consultants interested in working with One Plus One are encouraged to reach out to Kelly Bennett at kelly.bennett@oneplusonegroup.co.nz.

About One Plus One Communications
Founded in 2013, One Plus One is a leading New Zealand communications and engagement consultancy. Its highly integrated programmes and strategies are designed to improve perceptions and enhance revenues for its clients. These results are delivered through Corporate PR, Stakeholder Engagement, Investor Relations, Crisis Management, and Digital Communications.

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