Who we are
BlacklandPR is contemporary in every sense of the word. Founded in 2012, we focus our extensive knowledge and experience in public communication into the modern art of persuasive conversation with real people.
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BlacklandPR is an affiliate agency of Ogilvy PR Australia.
Meet the team
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Director
Nick Gowland
Corporate reputation specialist. More than 15 years in the business managing the reputations of public and private sector clients through succinct strategy and message development, effective media relations, and issues management techniques.
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Nick’s talents were first honed in the Beehive, where he advised a number of Ministers under the Helen Clark government on media relations and policy development for the education, labour, immigration, and commerce portfolios. Since 2007, he has held senior external communications posts for some of the biggest corporate brands in New Zealand and the UK including Telecom NZ, the TAB and London’s Tube Lines, one of the largest Public Private Partnerships in the world. He has extensive experience across a range of industry sectors and a proven ability for understanding the reputation needs of clients.
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Director
Joss Debreceny
A seasoned executive advisor and leader with over two decades of experience in communications, engagement, and transformational leadership. His career is marked by significant contributions to strategic communications, change management, and engagement across the government, private sector, and community organisations.
Joss has a proven track record of working with leadership teams to ensure strategic alignment, program delivery, and change preparedness. Key achievements include establishing the Public Information Management system for Fire and Emergency New Zealand and leading communications for Inland Revenue’s Business Transformation Programme. Joss's recent roles have expanded his expertise in advising executive leaders, developing strategies, implementing plans, and risk management.
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+64 22 176 4410
Consulting Director
Mark Blackham
Expert in human communication behaviour. Mark has a distinguished political experience and has provided advice to executives and boards on winning over audiences using social media, direct communications, traditional channels, and government relations.
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25 years ago, Mark was working in Hamilton when his media talents were spotted by the then Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and later Prime Minister, Mike Moore. Mark worked for Mike as press secretary, speech writer, and then leader of the Labour media unit. In 1996 he Joined Logos Porter Novelli as a government relations expert with flair for communicating tough subjects in ways people understood. In 2003 he co-founded Senate, and helped grow it over nine years into a Trans-Tasman communication consultancy.
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+ 64 21 891 042
News Specialist
Liam Constable
Liam is a media whizz and natural communicator. He has worked across a variety of industries—from car dealerships and farms to logistics and hospitality.
Most recently, he spent two and a half years as a media advisor at New Zealand Police, where he refined his skills in writing, media strategy, and relationship building. His accomplishments include communicating Police responses to Antisocial Road User Behaviour (ASRU) and implementing the new Gangs Act 2024. He also conceived and implemented social and news media public awareness campaigns on child exploitation in New Zealand.
Liam has a deep interest in psychology, what makes people tick and how to communicate with impact. In 2023, he completed a double major in Psychology and Media Communications at the University of Canterbury.
Liam brings creativity, dedication, and tenacity to every project he takes on. His current clients include Ravensdown, New Zealand Certified Builders and Accenture.
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Government Relations and Policy Consultant
Joshua Whitford
Joshua joined Blackland in 2022 following six years in politics. He is an experienced government relations and communications specialist, having advised MPs and political parties on communications and campaigns. Projects that he is proud to have worked on include the 2017 and 2020 general elections and the 2020 electorate boundary review.
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Alongside his political experience, Joshua graduated with an LLB/BA from Victoria University, double majoring in political science and public policy.
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Public Relations Aide
Emily Mingins
With a keen eye for social media and a natural flair for design, Emily excels at developing digital assets and crafting online strategies that engage audiences and convey key messages.
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She brings expertise in campaign and event coordination, having led successful events for the Aotearoa Menopause Forum and Life Squared Trust at Parliament, and promoted high-profile events like the Lunar New Year Festival and the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice Challenge, securing record attendance.
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Emily has supported public advocacy campaigns for the Screen Music and Sound Guild and the Tohu Project, and manages media and social monitoring for a diverse range of global and national clients.
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