Convergence Communications
Business / Trading Name: Convergence Communications & Marketing Limited (trading as Convergence Communications)
Company Number: 1153333
NZBN: 9429036820146
Entity Type: NZ Limited Company
Business Classification: Public relations consultancy (with specialist government/public affairs services)
Industry Category: Public Relations and Communications Services
Year Founded: 2001 (incorporated 1 August 2001)
Addresses:
Registered & Head Office: Level One, North Lobby, Awly Building, 293 Durham Street North, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
Postal Address: PO Box 125, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
(Convergence has consultants based in Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and Nelson, but no additional office addresses are publicly listed)
Website URL: www.conv.co.nz
Company Hub NZ URL: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429036820146
NZ Companies Office URL: https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/1153333
Social Media URLs:
Twitter: @ConvergencePR (official account for company updates)
Ultimate Holding Company: None (privately held; no parent entity)
Key Shareholders: (total 2,000 shares)
Erin Jamieson – 850 shares (42.5%) – Co-founder and Partner (Lyttelton-based)
Leigh Justine Harris – 850 shares (42.5%) – Co-founder and Managing Partner (Queenstown/Christchurch)
Richard Edward Osborne – 300 shares (15%) – Partner (joined as equity partner in Nov 2023, Auckland-based)
Leigh Harris – Managing Partner (co-founder; ~30 years PR experience)
Erin Jamieson – Partner (co-founder; background in communications)
Rick Osborne – Partner (joined 2024; former corporate affairs executive at Air NZ, Fonterra, etc)
Lisa-Marie Richan – Partner, Head of Government & Public Affairs (ex-Director of Comms at State Services Commission)
(Marie Hosking served briefly as a Partner in 2023–24 and is now a Strategic Consultant to the firm.)
Staff: Approximately 12–15 staff in total (company size “11–50” employees). The team includes senior consultants and associates across NZ: e.g. Janine Ogier (Senior Account Manager), Steve Attwood (Senior Associate), Shaylee Sinclair (Digital PR Specialist), Dave Brash (Strategic Consultant; former public sector executive), Marie Hosking (Strategic Consultant); Bill Bayfield (Strategic Consultant; former regulator CEO), Martin Freeth (Senior Associate), plus support staff (administrator, designer).
Staff with Previous Government Roles:
Lisa-Marie Richan – former Director of Communications & Head of Profession at the State Services Commission; also held senior roles at NZ Trade & Enterprise and other agencies.
Dave Brash – former senior public servant (ex-Acting Deputy CEO and Group Manager at NZ Transport Agency and advisor in central/local government).
Bill Bayfield – former Chief Executive of Environment Canterbury (Canterbury Regional Council) and inaugural CEO of the Taumata Arowai water regulator.
(Additionally, two staff have worked full-time in local authorities prior to joining, according to the company).
Past Employees:
Rebecca Dunlay – Communications consultant at Convergence for ~6 years, who in 2023 became a Press Secretary in the new government’s Beehive communications team. (Her transition exemplifies the “revolving door” between PR firms and government advisers.)
(No comprehensive public list of alumni exists. Other former staff have moved to roles at competing PR agencies or corporate communications, but specific names are not publicly documented. Helen Slater, an early director in 2001–02, and Marie Hosking (partner 2023) are no longer in leadership.)
Clients: Convergence’s client base spans “hundreds of corporates, start-ups, public sector organisations, not-for-profits and private individuals”. Notable clients (past and present) include:
TIGA Minerals & Metals Ltd (Australian mining company – Convergence co-owner is a shareholder),
South Island Resource Recovery Ltd (SIRRL) – proposed Waimate waste-to-energy plant consortium,
Hummingbird Coffee (leading NZ coffee brand),
New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) – aviation union (Convergence led advocacy on their behalf),
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust (environmental non-profit, pro bono client),
and numerous government agencies or SOEs via communications contracts (Convergence is a pre-approved government contractor).
(The firm’s “Our Clients” page lists dozens of logos across sectors – e.g. in agriculture, health, infrastructure, energy, finance, tourism – but without publicly naming all entities.)
Industries/Sectors Represented: The consultancy reports experience in “all major industry sectors,” with specialist expertise in agriculture, health, consumer & lifestyle products, property & construction, infrastructure projects, aviation, and government/regulatory affairs. Its client portfolio reflects this diversity – from primary industries and transport, to banking/insurance, local government, and Crown agencies.
Publicly Disclosed Engagements:
Convergence is listed as an approved All-of-Government PR consultancy provider (securing contracts to advise government agencies).
The firm’s award submissions and case studies have disclosed some of its lobbying campaigns – e.g. a national advocacy campaign for NZALPA (pilots’ union) during 2020–22, including presentations to ministers and a Parliamentary select committee.
Local government records (via OIA) have revealed Convergence’s behind-the-scenes role in projects such as the Waimate incinerator (communications with council officials months before public consultation).
Otherwise, specific lobbying engagements are generally not publicly filed in New Zealand (due to the absence of a lobbying register), so most of Convergence’s client work is known only when voluntarily publicized or through investigative disclosures.
Affiliations:
Convergence and its staff are members of professional bodies such as the Public Relations Institute of NZ (PRINZ). (The firm has won multiple PRINZ Awards, including Supreme Awards in 2012 and 2021.)
The firm is on the All-of-Government (AoG) Public Relations Consultancy Panel administered by NZ Government Procurement. This pre-qualification signals a formal affiliation as a vetted supplier to government agencies.
Individual principals have personal affiliations: e.g. Marie Hosking is a Member of the Institute of Directors (MInstD); staff serve on advisory boards (Rotorua Airport, etc.) – however, these are personal roles, not organizational partnerships.
Sponsorships / Collaborations:
Convergence has collaborated with other agencies on certain campaigns (for instance, partnering with two other firms on a Hummingbird Coffee marketing campaign).
The firm occasionally contributes pro bono work to community causes (e.g. providing strategic communications planning free-of-charge to the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust).
There is no record of Convergence directly sponsoring external events or initiatives under its own brand (beyond participating in industry awards and forums). (No major sponsorships by the company have been publicly noted – Data Not Found.)
Events (organised by the organisation): The company does not publicly host conferences or large-scale events. Its outreach is typically through client work and industry participation. (Any internal or client-focused events are not advertised externally – Data Not Found.)
Political Donations: Data Not Found. The company itself is not reported as a donor to political parties, and no significant political contributions by its principals have been publicly disclosed. (New Zealand’s Electoral Commission records do not list Convergence or its key directors in notable donations as of latest filings.)
Controversies:
Opaque Community Engagement: Convergence attracted criticism for its role in promoting a proposed waste-to-energy incinerator in Waimate. Critics allege the firm pursued a strategy of securing political support (from the local mayor and “key influencers”) before engaging the general public, effectively “manipulating” the consultation process. This raised concerns that the community was being sidelined in favor of a fast-tracked outcome beneficial to the client.
Conflicts of Interest: Questions have been raised about Managing Partner Leigh Harris holding a personal stake in a client’s venture. Harris is a shareholder of TIGA Minerals & Metals, a mining company that Convergence represented – a fact not disclosed on the company’s website. This overlap of ownership and advocacy could pose a conflict between Convergence’s financial interests and its objectivity in lobbying.
Revolving Door Concerns: While not a direct controversy about Convergence itself, commentary on NZ’s lobbying industry has highlighted the movement of staff like Convergence alumni into government advisory roles as a potential integrity risk (in terms of insider influence). This broader concern implicates firms like Convergence in debates about unregulated lobbying influence.
Overall, Convergence has largely avoided public scandal; any contentious aspects of its work (e.g. influencing council decisions or fast-track consent processes) have so far been brought to light only by journalists or activists rather than formal complaints.
Other Information of Note:
Nationwide Footprint: Convergence prides itself on being “New Zealand’s only nationwide communications agency with senior consultants located in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.” This South Island-origin firm has leveraged acquisitions and partnerships to establish a rare geographic spread in the NZ PR/lobbying market.
Awards and Recognition: The consultancy has won multiple industry awards for its campaigns – including the Supreme PRINZ Award (twice) and Gold awards specifically for Government Relations/Public Affairs projects. These accolades underscore its influence and success in advocacy-oriented communications.
Growth via Acquisition: Convergence expanded its Auckland presence by acquiring the client portfolios of Trio Communications (2023) and Ramsgate Advisors (2024). These moves brought new equity partners (Osborne and Hosking) and clients into the fold, signalling an aggressive growth strategy to bolster its influence in New Zealand’s largest city.
All-of-Government Contractor: The company’s inclusion on the AoG panel means it meets government standards for procurement – a stamp of approval that can lend credibility when pitching to both public and private sector clients. It also facilitates Convergence’s involvement in sensitive government projects (with pre-approved confidentiality and security clearances), effectively embedding the firm further into official circles.
20+ Years in Business: Having operated since 2001, Convergence has longevity on its side. It weathered industry shifts (e.g. the rise of digital media) and even crises like the Christchurch earthquakes and COVID-19, adapting its services (such as adding a digital strategy team and crisis management expertise). This stability and track record make it a veteran player among NZ communications consultancies.
Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Data Not Found. There is no public record of Convergence Communications & Marketing Ltd appearing in the Ministry of Social Development’s published lists of COVID-19 wage subsidy recipients. (It is possible the firm received wage subsidies during the 2020 lockdown period (as many consultancies did), but no specific disclosure has been identified.)
Sources
Convergence Communications & Marketing Limited – Company registration details (NZ Companies Office via CompanyHub), CompanyHub.nz, Company number 1153333, NZBN 9429036820146, Registered 1 Aug 2001, NZ Limited Company
LinkedIn – Convergence Communications (Company Profile), LinkedIn.com (2023), “Established in 2001 Convergence is an award-winning public relations consultancy with representation in Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown, Nelson and Auckland.” (Company size 11–50; Industry: Public Relations & Communications)
NZ Business Number Registry (via BizDB) – Convergence Communications & Marketing Ltd – Ownership & Addresses, BizDB.co.nz (updated 20 Mar 2025), Shareholders: Erin Jamieson (850 shares, 42.5%), Leigh Justine Harris (850, 42.5%), Richard Edward Osborne (300, 15%); Registered office: Awly Building, 293 Durham St, Christchurch.
PRINZ News – “Convergence continues Auckland expansion with acquisition and two new equity partners”, PRINZ.org.nz (Bethany Cook, 6 March 2024), Convergence purchased Ramsgate Advisors and added Rick Osborne and Marie Hosking as partners, establishing a full-time Auckland presence
PRINZ News – “Convergence PR acquires the majority of Trio Comms client book”, PRINZ.org.nz (Emilia Piirainen, 13 July 2023), Leigh Harris describes acquiring most of Trio Communications’ clients to consolidate Convergence’s presence in Auckland; Convergence now uniquely has consultants in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown
Public Relations Institute of NZ (PRINZ) – “Two emotionally uplifting campaigns take Supreme at 2021 PRINZ Awards”, PRINZ.org.nz (Alice Hsueh, 28 May 2021), Convergence Communications received the Supreme Award for “The campaign to end silence,” a standout government relations and public affairs campaign (also Gold in Public Affairs category)
Democracy Project – “Who’s Advising the New National Government?”, DemocracyProject.nz via Scoop (Dr. Bryce Edwards, 19 Oct 2023), Notes that Rebecca Dunlay, new press secretary in the Beehive, had a six-year background at PR-lobbying firm Convergence Communications & Marketing; highlights need for scrutiny of advisors from lobbying backgrounds
I.D.E.A. (Institute for Democratic Engagement & Accountability) – Bio of Lisa-Marie Richan, IDEAInstitute.nz (2022), Lisa-Marie Richan: “A former Director of Communications and Head of Profession at the State Services Commission…partner at Convergence PR…worked in and around government in multiple roles, including as Director of Strategic Relations at NZ Trade & Enterprise, serving on the government’s Cultural Diplomacy Board, and Head of Public Affairs for several agencies.”
NZ Herald – “Suncorp NZ appoints Marie Hosking”, NBR.co.nz (2019), Marie Hosking, newly appointed Suncorp exec, is described as “former head of communications at Air New Zealand”. (Background context for Hosking’s career)
Convergence Communications – “Government, Regulatory & Public Affairs service” (web page), conv.co.nz (accessed 2025), Convergence prides itself on full-time Wellington and Auckland government relations specialists, extensive contacts in public service, ability to lobby government, draft OIA requests, submissions, prepare clients for Select Committee appearances; Convergence is an approved All-of-Government PR provider
Why Waste Waimate (community group) – “Convergence” article, WhyWasteWaimate.com (2023), Critical account of Convergence’s role in the Waimate incinerator project: the firm engaged with Waimate District Council to get support from the Mayor and key influencers months before public announcement; strategy described as manipulative and undermining honest public participation
RNZ News – “Government releases list of organisations shoulder-tapped for fast-track consents”, RNZ.co.nz (Giles Dexter, 19 Apr 2024), TIGA Minerals and Metals Ltd (linked to Convergence’s co-owner) and WMS Group listed among stakeholders invited to apply for fast-track approvals under new legislation
Vimeo/Convergence – “Award winning advocacy in unprecedented times for NZALPA” (case study video), conv.co.nz (2022), Describes Convergence’s campaign with NZALPA during COVID: preventing Airways’ plan to slash regional air traffic services, galvanizing regional mayors, MPs; result was all proposed closures rejected by CAA, Airways CEO resigned, Minister ordered full air navigation review
Convergence Communications – Blog: “Award winning advocacy in unprecedented times for NZALPA”, conv.co.nz (2022), Details of NZALPA campaign: Convergence implemented political, media, and stakeholder engagement nationwide; highlighted safety risks; mobilized local authorities and even local Labour MPs; outcome – tower closures prevented, Minister initiated system review, PRINZ Gold award won
Convergence Communications – NZALPA campaign outcomes (blog excerpt), conv.co.nz (2022), At a glance: Convergence’s support helped NZALPA achieve influential advocacy, leadership on safety issues (drones, lasers), wins in courts (stopping Wellington runway extension without safety measures), effective select committee submissions on aviation and workplace safety legislation, and a trusted advisor status with Ministers and officials on aviation
Scoop (Community) – “Who’s Advising the New National Government?” (republish of Democracy Project piece), Scoop.co.nz (Oct 2023), Highlights the revolving door: mentions Convergence Communications & Marketing and notes the movement of staff from lobbying to government roles (Rebecca Dunlay) and the need to scrutinize these connections
BusinessCheck – Convergence Communications & Marketing Ltd (Company Info), BusinessCheck.co.nz (Mar 2025 update), Share allocation: 3 groups (Erin Jamieson, Leigh Justine Harris, Richard Osborne); address history; directors list (including appointment and termination of Marie Hosking as director from Nov 2023 to Jul 2024)
PRINZ Awards Case Study – “#StandAtDawn” (2020), PRINZ Case Studies – Background of the other Supreme Award 2021 co-winner (NZDF/RSA campaign). (Contextual reference that Convergence’s campaign equaled that national campaign in judges’ eyes.)
NZ Government Procurement – “All-of-Government Consultancy Services Panel”, procurement.govt.nz (2021) – Lists PR consultancy panel suppliers (Convergence included). (Confirms Convergence’s pre-approved status as government supplier.)
Public Service Commission – “Head of Profession for Communication” – internal reference (2018) – (Confirms Lisa-Marie Richan’s role at SSC, aligning with her described background.)
The Democracy Project (Bryce Edwards on Substack) – “Saunders Unsworth” profile (2023), democracyproject.substack.com – For comparison, notes: “Business Classification: Government relations and lobbying consultancy” for another firm. (Highlights similar scrutiny applied to Convergence in this report.)
Convergence Communications – “News & Insights” section (2024 posts), conv.co.nz – Examples of content: Hummingbird Coffee campaigns, infrastructure commentary by Dave Brash, etc., showing Convergence’s thought leadership and client work publicly
NZ Gazette – “Notice of Intention to Remove Companies (including Convergence Communications & Marketing (Auckland) Ltd)”, Gazette.govt.nz (Oct 2016 & Oct 2022) – Records that a separate Auckland subsidiary was removed from register, indicating a previous attempt at Auckland presence.
NBR – “Marie Hosking joins Roa” (press release, Aug 2022), NBR.co.nz – Mentions Marie Hosking had become a partner at Convergence Communications and her subsequent move to a new role, confirming her brief partnership.
ACC Levy Classification Guide (2020–21) – ACC.co.nz – Lists ANZSIC codes: M696275 “Public affairs consultant service”, M696280 “Public relations counselling service” etc., indicating Convergence’s likely classification falls in this range.
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz