Capital Connect is the launch event for our newly established IAB New Zealand Wellington Council, focused on strengthening Wellington's public and private sector marketing and advertising connections to the national digital advertising industry. Wellington is the one place where central government and the fast-growing digital advertising industry sit side by side and this event opens up the connections and conversations that proximity makes possible. Join us for an opening welcome from Wellington Mayor HW Hon Andrew Little, followed by two industry expert panels:
Panel 1: ‘Change Agents’ How public sector marketing can leverage opportunities to drive behavioural change.
Panel 2: ‘The Efficiency Edge’ Wellington's biggest digital advertising opportunities for effectiveness and efficiency.
Spots are limited. Register now.
Event Details
Date: 3 September 2026
Time: 2:45pm - 5:45pm
Venue: Precinct Flex, 40 Bowen Street, Bowen Campus, Wellington CBD - Pūtahi Room.
Tickets: This is a free event for IAB New Zealand members and non-members.
Includes networking drinks from 4:45pm - 5:45pm.
Thank you to our event sponsor NZME
Matt
Bale
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Senior Advisor AI Together, Garage Project Chair, Advisory Board youdooh
Matt Bale has built his career at the intersection of media, marketing and technology, working with Saatchi & Saatchi, BBDO, Starcom and OMD before co-founding MBM, New Zealand's largest locally owned media agency, acquired by Publicis. He studied AI at Stanford and is now Senior Advisor on AI at Together.
Russ
Duncan
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Strategic Marketing Lead, EECA
Russ is the Strategic Marketing Lead at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, leading engagement programmes that help New Zealanders make better energy decisions. He's spent a decade leading behaviour change programmes across government, from health to conservation to energy, applying social marketing to complex public challenges at national scale.
Anna
Gunnell
Strategy Partner, Bastion Aotearoa
Anna is Strategy Partner at Bastion Aotearoa, known as "Anna the Planner." A natural collaborator, she spent half her 21-year career selling products for McDonald's, AA Insurance, Westpac and Lion, and the second half selling behaviours, shaping ACC's Have a hmmm and Health NZ's Stick It To Hep C campaigns.
Emma
Hartley
Marketing & Content Manager, NZTA Waka Kotahi
Emma Hartley is a marketing and communications leader delivering nationally significant public sector programmes in New Zealand and the UK. As Marketing and Content Manager at Waka Kotahi, she leads marketing, social media and content, including road safety campaigns, and previously led voter participation campaigns at the UK's Electoral Commission.
Rob
Hawthorne
Chief Data & Analytics Technologist, Google Cloud
With over 20 years in senior IT roles, Rob has delivered multi-million-dollar technology solutions worldwide. His career includes consulting for major firms and advising leading public and private sector organisations in finance, government, retail, and construction. Rob focuses on helping organisations solve complex business challenges through strong design principles, modern architectures, and cutting-edge Google Cloud solutions.
Hon Andrew Little
Mayor of Wellington
HW Hon Andrew Little is Mayor of Wellington, elected October 2025. A former Leader of the NZ Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition (2014-17), he was Cabinet Minister 2017-2023, holding portfolios including Health, Justice and Defence. Previously a union leader and lawyer, he holds LLB and BA degrees from Victoria University Wellington. The Mayor is focussed on making Wellington more affordable, vibrant, inclusive, and a place where everyone can get ahead.
Diana
Marsh
Chief Executive, Experience Wellington, Wheako Pōneke
Diana Marsh has 25+ years' experience leading arts organisations nationally and internationally. She is Chief Executive Tumu Whakarae of Wheako Pōneke Experience Wellington, previously leading SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music for eight years and serving as President of the International Association of Music Information Centres.
Helen
Mills
Strategic Engagement Manager, ACC
Helen Mills is a Strategic Engagement Manager at ACC, leading the design and delivery of strategic engagement, communications, and injury prevention initiatives across New Zealand. She works with internal teams, community partners, and external agencies to develop evidence-based programmes that improve outcomes for New Zealanders. Helen is passionate about translating strategy into action, building capability, and creating meaningful partnerships that drive lasting change.
Kathryn
Robinson
Executive Director, Verian Group
As Executive Director at Verian Kathryn delivers independent research and evaluation for government and public sector organisations. Drawing on experience across agencies, client-side marketing and consulting, she has led research and strategy for FENZ, Health NZ, ACC, Sport NZ and MSD. She now leads Verian's Behavioural Insights and Qualitative teams, driving meaningful impact for communities.
Kelley
Toy
Head of Marketing & Communications, Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa
Kelley is Head of Marketing and Communications at Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa. With an engineering background, she spent 15 years launching products for Fonterra, was Marketing Director for a tech start-up in Hong Kong, and spent 5 years at Fire and Emergency NZ, leading the Grand Effie-winning campaign You're Cooked
