Communications strategies, crisis plans and key messages all have one thing in common: they're rarely the real brief. Drawing on observations from this year, I explore why the best communications work isn't reactive - it's about building trust long before it's tested.

Communications is a female-majority profession in New Zealand - yet decision-making, power, pay and influence don’t always reflect that reality. For International Women’s Day, I spoke with senior communications leader Emma Blackmore about the structural and cultural barriers still shaping women’s careers in our sector.

What do charity leaders really want from their communications advisors? Seasoned chief executive Shaun Greaves shares candid lessons on trust, judgement and human-centred messaging, drawn from leadership roles across Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, New Zealand Red Cross and now Presbyterian Support Northern (PSN).

Recent cyber incidents in Aotearoa are a reminder that no organisation is immune. For charities and NGOs holding sensitive information about clients, donors and communities, how you communicate during an incident is just as critical as the technical response. This piece shares key lessons on what to prioritise - and what to avoid - when trust is on the line.

In humanitarian crises, stories can save lives - or do harm. Drawing on her experience across global emergencies from the Kaikōura earthquake to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Armenia, Jess Timings offers practical advice for communicators on balancing speed with accuracy, urgency with hope and always leading with dignity.