Copywriter/Communications - Various Projects

In and around other larger projects, I perform ongoing copywriting and strategic communications services for a wide range of clients including small- and medium-sized enterprises, startups, the impact and not-for-profit sector, and education and training organisations. My portfolio is largely NZ-based but, as Authentic Storytelling grows, I am increasingly working with clients as far and wide as Europe and the US.

This work often includes custom content marketing (profiles, interviews, blogs), website copy, print and radio advertising, crowdfunding information memorandums and internal strategic and operational documents.

Here are just a few of the topics I’m writing about for current clients: aerospace, business and entrepreneurship, human rights, architecture and design, mental health, vocational education and training, philanthropy and investment, virtual live events, music, hospitality, medical innovation, IoT and data science, NZ-made manufacturing, and environmental and climate issues.

I pride myself on my ability to capture the attention and voice of a wide range of readers with a diverse set of subject-matter interests and expertise.

Marriage and Civil Union Celebrant - Love Stories by Bex

In December of 2022, I expanded the Authentic Storytelling service offering by becoming a registered marriage and civil union celebrant. A natural extension of years of writing and live event wrangling, Love Stories by Bex is the banner under which I write and perform truly customised marriage and civil union ceremonies throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. I love love stories of all kinds and it would be an honour to help tell yours.

Author - Tautoko Tāne Male Survivors Aotearoa

The largest standalone project in my portfolio is a book that I am writing on behalf of Tautoko Tāne Male Survivors Aotearoa. This full-length nonfiction work is an anthology featuring dozens of first-hand accounts of male survivors of sexual abuse, assault and violence. I am working closely with Tautoko Tāne staff, clients and stakeholders to complete and publish this hugely important work in late 2024-early 2025.

Communications & Management Services - Kia Kotahi Ako

I work with Kia Kotahi Ako to craft compelling stories that share their mission of transforming education and environmental solutions through indigenous knowledge by activating education initiatives that will have the biggest impact for Papatūānuku. I also provided them with management services to support their team and progress key initiatives while their CEO travelled overseas for several months in 2023.

Production Manager - WORD Christchurch

I have delivered a range of live, virtual and hybrid literary events for WORD Christchurch since 2017, most notably in my roles as Production Manager for WORD during the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Festivals and as Venue Manager for Isaac Theatre Royal and The Arts Centre Gym during the 2018 Festival.

Communications - Hanga-Aro-Rau

I have been working with Hanga-Aro-Rau Workforce Development Council since coming on board to draft their comprehensive 2022-23 Annual Report in May of 2023, a contract to which I returned in 2024. I continue to work with them in an ongoing capacity to create case studies and industry stakeholder stories that showcase their work to transform the vocational education and training system in Aotearoa.

Author/Creator - Authentic Mental Health Stories

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 and its theme: Take Time to Kōrero, I devised and wrote this series of storytelling profiles featuring the diverse lived experiences of 6 courageous Kiwis.

Participants answered my open call for personal stories of mental illness and distress, and generously gave me the time and trust to share their stories with the world.

Project Manager - Gardenstar

In this contract role, I spent 4 months in 2021 working with the Endangered Species Foundation and Ministry for the Environment to lead the first phase of development for brand new biodiversity initiative, Gardenstar. This backyard biodiversity movement intends to increase populations of Aotearoa's indigenous species and boost human wellbeing through a greater connection to nature by bringing biodiversity home.

In collaboration with biodiversity experts at the University of Otago, I worked with ESF and MfE on the co-design, prototyping and pilot of this biodiversity initiative to engage with communities and learn how we can better support native biodiversity in private, community and school gardens in our urban centres.

I also led the communications for this initial phase of the project, including drafting the copy for Gardenstar’s website.

Venue Manager - NZ Festival of the Arts

In February-March of 2020, I managed TSB Auditorium (Shed 6) for the New Zealand Festival of the Arts. This all-encompassing role comprised all management responsibilities for a high-volume performance venue during the 2020 NZ Festival season.

The line-up at Shed 6 ranged from local favourites like Nadia Reid, to the "Electric Blue Witch-Hop" of Estère, to the still-evolving The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil, a musical satire co-written by Festival curator, Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords).

Project Manager - Drinkable Rivers

As Project Manager of this community-led movement, I spent 2 years from 2019-2021 working with the Drinkable Rivers founding team to engage Christchurch residents, schools and community groups to make the rivers of Aotearoa New Zealand drinkable, starting with a flourishing Ōtākaro Avon River.

This was an extensive, multidisciplinary role with a strong communications and operational focus. The work involved the definition and implementation of all of the project’s strategic and communications planning including the complete design, drafting and build of the Drinkable Rivers website, the creation of strategic and project plans, writing funding applications and supporting documentation, the establishment and maintenance of a multi-platform Drinkable Rivers social media presence, and the coordination, promotion and delivery of a range of community and educational events. I also oversaw the filming and post-production of a short Drinkable Rivers promotional film celebrating the history of the Ōtākaro Avon River that can be viewed here as well as this animated educational film about river care.

Communications Lead - Seed the Change| He Kākano Hāpai

In 2020-2021, I worked with this social impact catalyst organisation to craft and implement a tailored communications strategy to promote their groundbreaking work in 21st-century philanthropy.

I helped them to fine-tune their digital presence, expand their reach and maximise their social and environmental impact. I continue to create stories on an ad hoc basis for Seed the Change and its supported projects.