Public Relations Office

Descriptive Data

TypeAgencyDate Range1956-1992DescriptionThe Public Relations Office was established in 1956
- To create a climate of opinion strongly in support of the overall advancement and progress of the city,
- To facilitate acceptance of financing plans and attraction of investment capital,
- To generate and maintain goodwill and co-operation of Government and adjacent local authorities,
- To help guide management in establishing a proper measure of public confidence in, and approval of, the City's administration,
- To attract broader understanding of, and sympathy with, the problems the City and its Council faces, and
- To promote national acceptance of Wellington as the vital capital and centre of the nation.

The Public Relations Office was established under the administration of the Town Clerk and consisted of a Public Relations Officer and secretarial staff. The Public Relations Officer reported to the Public Relations Committee of Council, which was made up of 5 Councillors.

A Wellington Public Relations Advisory Committee was formed, with representatives nominated by various Wellington business and industrial organisations. Membership was by subscription and this provided partial funding for the Public Relations Office. The Advisory Committee met with the Public Relations Committee on a regular basis to give advice on "carrying out public relations activities in the city". The Committee was disbanded on 1 September 1964, as it was felt that the role of a Council Public Relations Office was best administered solely by City Council. The function was then funded completely by Wellington City Council.

The main activities of the Public Relations Office were:
- To maintain 'reference books', which were newspaper clipping books to allow rapid access to past statements and comments of various subjects,
- To co-ordinate the printing of promotional publications, including Our City, Wellington Guide, Capital City Calendar,
- To run an Information Bureau at Overseas Passenger Terminal to co-incide with the arrival of passenger ships,
- To prepare and provide exhibitions, presentations and cultural lectures in conjunction with Council departments and external organisations,
- To write and distribute press releases on behalf of Committee Chairmen or Department Heads, and
- To organise and promote festivals and public performances in conjunction with Council departments and external organizations.

The structure of the Office had changed by the late 1980's, but the function was still focused on promoting Wellington and Wellington-based events. The aim was to "contribute to the economic and social welfare of the city by promotion to visitors and residents the attractions available and assisting in their development". Activities included running the City Information Centre (a contracted service for NZ Tourism Board providing general tourist information and an accommodation and travel booking service); city promotions (such as the Sister Cities Programme); events organisation and promotion (such as the Waterfront Street Race and the International Festival of the Arts), producing the "What's On" publication; the Summer Cruise Ship Programme, a Visiting Media Programme, Heritage Tourism, the International Marketing Programme, Interisland Joint Venture, and 'Gateways' Project.

Public Relation Officers were:
- Arthur Gerard Feslier from September 1956-September 1958
- James George Thomson from September 1958-May 1981
- Stephen Nelson from March 1981–December 1982
- Gene Saunders from December 1982–April 1985
- Keith Richardson from November 1985–March 1988.

In 1990 the Public Relations office staff consisted of the Director, Deputy Director, Information Centre Supervisor, Information Officers, a Sister Cities Co-ordinator, Promotions Officer, Information Officer and Research Officer.

In 1992, the Office was disbanded and grouped together with the Economic Business Development Department as City Promotions, under the new Capital Development Agency.

Series

WCC, Photographs collected by the Public Relations Office

WCC, Film, 'Festival for All' Festival of Wellington

WCC, Public Relations Office files

WCC, Capitalk newsletter (first series)

WCC, Public Relations Office newsletter, Wellington, Our City

WCC, Public Relations Office pamphlets, Wellington Guide

WCC, Public Relations Office publication, Wellington City Commentary

WCC, Public Relations Office various publications

WCC, Public Relations Office publication, Capital City Calendar

Controlling Agency or Organisation

Controlling Agency or OrganisationWellington City CouncilControlling Agency or Organisation Date Range1870-

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Public Relations Office