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Silvereye Newsletter November 2026
This year is passing quickly, and the election campaign has been a whirlwind. The election is now just 5 days away, with plenty still changing.
Over the past six weeks, Silvereye has helped clients and friends learn more about political leaders through our Silvereye 2026 Election Series. The Silvereye team is working hard in the run-up to the election and the end of the year.
Silvereye 2026 Election Series Completed
Throughout September, political leaders from across the spectrum made themselves available to Silvereye clients and friends through the Silvereye Election Series.
The six sessions featured honest, open discussions about where the six politicians saw New Zealand heading.
Thanks to our participants: ACT’s David Seymour, Greens’ Marama Davidson, National’s Nicola Willis, Labour’s Chris Hipkins, Opportunity’s Qiulae Wong, and NZ First’s Shane Jones.
Standing for political office is a serious commitment. The Silvereye team sends their thanks to all candidates who have nominated themselves to stand in the November 7 General Election and wishes them luck.
Massive Win for Men's Health
Over the last 3 years, Silvereye has been working with the Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand to get a pilot up and running for early detection of Prostate Cancer. This has been really important work which will hopefully contribute to better clinical outcomes for thousands of New Zealand men each year.
During the Leaders Debate, Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and leader of the opposition Rt Hon Chris Hipkins both said they would fund this. We look forward to seeing this policy being a part of any coalition agreement for the next government.
Backing the Just a Tick Campaign
As well as working to support early detection of Prostate Cancer, we have also been supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ’s Just a Tick campaign, encouraging men to get a PSA test added to their regular medical checkups.
Working with former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen and comedy icon Te Radar, Silvereye has produced a short video helping men learn how easy it is to do the initial tests. The techniques have changed over the past few years, and initial tests can be just an extra blood test to check if PSA levels are elevated.
“The best thing we can do as men is look after ourselves, look after our mates and take ownership of our health,” Sir Steve Hansen says.
Te Radar is equally direct.
“Most blokes hear ‘prostate cancer check,’ and they’re halfway out of the door before the doctor’s finished the sentence. The truth is, it can start with a simple blood test.”
“Don’t be a dick. Just get the bloody tick!”
The Great NZ Dumpling Trail
September 26 is International Dumpling Day, and this year, it marked the start of a three-week-long exploration of The Great New Zealand Dumpling Trail across the country.
The trail highlighted great restaurants offering delicious dumpling meals and offered people the chance to rate their favourites and win prizes while doing so.
Four $100 food vouchers were won by people in Palmerston North, Napier, and two from Auckland. The winning dumpling venue was Pot Sticker Dumpling Bar in Christchurch.
The Great New Zealand Dumpling Trail is part of the work done by the New Zealand Chinese Language Week Trust to promote Chinese language within the community.
Feel the Burn Trail Run 2027
The Feel The Burn Trail Run on 30 January 2027 takes runners through iconic NZ high country landscapes usually closed to the public.
The event was born out of the Bridge Hill fire in December 2024, when a huge stretch of this high country landscape burnt. Instead of just mourning it, a group started the Cragieburn Basin Restoration Trust to restore it - properly, over a 100-year vision. Silvereye is on board as a pro bono promoter of the race.
Every entry fee goes toward that restoration work: native planting, seed collection, a nursery full of mountain beech seedlings, and getting local schools involved.
There are four distances: the Spark (5km) and Toastie (10km) suit first-timers and families, while the Incinerator (20km) and Full Burn (30km) will test the more seasoned trail runners among you. Expect big Canterbury high-country views, real Basin terrain, and an atmosphere that feels more like a community day out than a race.
Otago Central Lakes Deal Completed
The Government signed a City and Regional Deal with Otago Central Lakes councils on October 6, establishing a 10-year partnership to support housing, infrastructure and economic growth in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions.
The Deal brings together the Government, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Central Otago District Council and Otago Regional Council around a 30-year vision to harness the region’s growth.
Silvereye director Conor English was the lead negotiator for the councils with the Government, and says he is delighted to have brought the deal to completion.
At the signing, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said: “City and Regional Deals are about central and local government getting around the same table, agreeing where they want to go, and making sure planning and investment decisions line up to get there.”
Jo Attends the Aspen Institute New Zealand Security Forum 2026
Silvereye Managing Director and Aspen New Zealand Institute Board Member, Jo Coughlan, attended the Aspen New Zealand Institute Security Forum in Queenstown earlier this month, alongside her former boss, Sir Don McKinnon.
The Forum runs across multiple discussion formats, including strategic provocations, moderated dialogue tables, fireside conversations, and breakout discussions, moving through the day from a frank assessment of the strategic enviroment to a forward-looking conversation about what New Zealand and Australia need to get right over the coming decade.
Conor speaks at the LGNZ SuperLocal Conference
Silvereye Director Conor English spoke to the Local Government NZ SuperLocal conference in Rotorua this month. He spoke about navigating uncertainty, both professionally and personally, in a speech that was well-received by participants at the conference.
From being a farmer, service station manager, vacuum cleaner salesman, Beehive staffer, CEO, exporter, monetary policy advisor, dad of six children, going through a cancer diagnosis, and regional deal negotiator, Conor has packed a lot into his life. He shared these experiences with delegates, speaking about navigating uncertainty, making transitions, and focusing on what matters.
The SuperLocal Conference is the flagship event on the local government calendar, bringing together elected members and local government leaders from across New Zealand.
About Silvereye
Silvereye is a full-service public relations, corporate affairs and government relations agency. Contact us for assistance with Strategy, Submissions, Communications, Media Relations and Government and Stakeholder engagement.
Silvereye’s team can ensure that lawmakers are fully aware of your views and the outcomes you need from law changes through impactful submissions and engagement.
Messages matter. Members of our team have decades of experience and insight from their media careers and can share their expertise to make sure you are as well prepared as possible for your media moment. Reputations can be enhanced or completely lost in minutes, so don’t leave your dealings with the media to chance. Let us know, and we can set up training to suit your needs.
Keep in Touch
A lot is happening across New Zealand, its economy and political landscape. If you would like to discuss how we can help you solve your challenges or assist with getting opportunities over the line, please get in touch. Let's change the world together!
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