Convergence continues Auckland expansion with acquisition and two new equity partners

This is Convergence’s second acquisition in 12 months, having recently acquired most of the client book of long-established Auckland based Trio Communications from its founder.

Convergence Managing Partner Leigh Harris says, “We’re thrilled to be welcoming two new partners of this calibre. While we’ve worked with Auckland clients since 2002, the opportunity to establish a fulltime presence in the city under the strong leadership of Rick and Marie will be a game changer in helping us respond to increasing demand for our services in the Auckland market.”

Rick is a Director at Ramsgate Advisors. His communication and advocacy skills have been developed through exposure to a range of regulated and issues-rich industry organisations including Air New Zealand, Fonterra, Fletcher Building and Māori Television in senior corporate affairs and government relations roles. Rick is comfortable operating in the te ao Māori world and has a track record of successful engagement with iwi and kaupapa Māori organisations.

Marie’s career has spanned journalism, politics, and in-house corporate affairs. She’s renowned as a corporate issues and crisis specialist, having honed her skills during almost a decade leading communications at Air New Zealand. Marie has been a trusted confidant and advisor to CEOs and executive teams at Air New Zealand, ASB bank, Suncorp NZ and Mercury Energy. As a member of the Institute of Directors and a professional director, she has a particular interest in the intersection between governance and reputation at a boardroom level.

Convergence is New Zealand’s only nationwide communications agency with senior consultants located in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

For 22 years the company has successfully delivered the communications needs of a broad range of corporates, start-ups, public sector organisations, not for profits and private individuals - winning industry awards along the way including two PRINZ gold awards forgovernment affairs work and scooping the Supreme NZ Public Relations Award twice, most recently in 2021.

Convergence specialises in corporate communications, media training, stakeholder engagement, investor relations, reputational risk management and hands-on issues and crisis response. It is also one of only a few national PR agencies in New Zealand with a dedicated Government, Regulatory & Public Affairs service in Wellington.