18 October 2011

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker voted PRINZ Communicator of the Year 2011

Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parker has been voted Communicator of the Year for 2011 by the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ).

The PRINZ Communicator of the Year award recognises a person who demonstrates excellent personal communication skills and may be a public or sector leader who espouses open and honest communications within his or her organisation.

PRINZ members from around the country make nominations each month from which the winner is chosen by PRINZ’s College of Fellows. Other nominees for the award can be viewed on the PRINZ website - www.prinz.org.nz.

Mayor Parker was nominated for his handling of the communication around the 4 September 2010 earthquake in Christchurch.

His nomination said: “At a time when people wanted a communicator and a leader, he stepped up and performed both roles extremely well. Always there, always articulate despite no doubt having his own issues, on-going aftershocks and lack of sleep, he set an example of being a great communicator.”

Mayor Parker says the award is an honour and he feels quite humble receiving it. “At the time of the major earthquakes, it was just so important that we got information out to our residents about what was happening and where they could turn for help as quickly as possible. It was also important that we all reassured each other in the middle of what was a very frightening situation for everyone. None of us knew at that time what the future might hold,” he says.

“In those darkest hours for our city, I was just one part of an amazing team of people in an extraordinary community. I was simply doing my job like everyone else and I am really grateful to have been part of such a superb team.”

Previous PRINZ Communicator of the Year recipients are Judge Andrew Becroft, Dr Pita Sharples, Alan Duff, Dame Catherine Tizard, Bruce Slane and the late Sir Peter Blake.

Mayor Parker has been invited to speak to PRINZ members at an event in November, details of which are to be confirmed.

ENDS

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