Michele Hider
Director - MMgt (Communications), APR, FPRINZ

With more than 20 years of experience in public relations and journalism, Michele took the plunge and started Priority Communications in 2013.

Eleven years later, she says she is still excited when she sets out for work each day. “It’s a dream job and I love working with such a talented team.”

“We have a fantastic mix of clients with an exciting range of communications challenges. Every day, we are thinking of the best ways for them to engage with people, be heard through the media, and communicate better with those that matter to them.”

As well as providing public relations advice to businesses, Michele has worked as a senior advisor to local government and government agencies including the Ministry of Health, Housing New Zealand, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and Christchurch City Council. For four and a half years, she was Communications Manager for the Canterbury District Health Board – the South Island’s largest employer.

Michele has a Master of Management (Communication) with distinction, is a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ), has international accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and is a regular guest lecturer in communications at the University of Canterbury.

She is the Board Chair of the Little Company of Mary Foundation, Christchurch which oversees the provision of low-cost housing for elderly people. Priority Communications also works pro bono for Allergy New Zealand and Birthright Canterbury, an agency that supports single-parent families.

Michele loves our new location in Victoria St - just a 25-minute walk for her and Charlie to work every day. “Incidental exercise, zero carbon, beautiful scenery, and best of all 20 minutes of listening to a podcast or audiobook. It must be the world’s best commute,” she says.