Creative strategy for the intelligence era.

In a world where anyone, and anything, can produce content, our creative solutions drive the impact you need to change Aotearoa for the better.

With Heft, you receive the best of human thinking and strategic insight with our deep local networks. We shape public perception, influence government policy and manage stakeholder relationships. 

Where we have impact:

  • Shaping your government relations and engagement strategies, so you are heard.

  • Telling your story with sharp media relations to improve and increase your brand and profile.

  • Thought leadership, media relations and narrative change, so you’re in control.

Close-up of a black electric guitar with a white pickguard and a maple neck.

Heft: A trusted partner

‘Heft were a vital part of our team from day one right through to export. Their skills ensured we spoke to the right people, told the right story and controlled the narrative as we introduced a new business to Aotearoa.’

Ray Mudgway, Managing Director of WMS Group

‘From a PR perspective, the real gold was in Heft's journalist networks. When I started fielding calls from friends in London who had seen our story in the industry bible FinExtra, it felt like we had made it!’

Adrian Smith, BlinkPay

At the HQ

Senior minds for complex times

Our clients trust us to step into complex, high-stakes moments. We bring the rare mix of creative intelligence and political nous required to move fast and land well.

We are headquartered in the heart of Cuba Street, where we operate as a purpose-driven organisation. Read more about our impact here.

Our leadership team

Our People with Heft

  • Black and white photo of a smiling woman with long hair and earrings outdoors.

    Mary Baines

    Wellington

    Strategic communications, crisis and media

  • Black and white portrait of a man in a suit and tie, outdoors with blurred background.

    Gwynn Compton

    Wellington - Kapiti

    Government Relations

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing earrings and a leather jacket, smiling at the camera.

    Kirsten Smith

    Wellington

    Advocacy and Engagement

  • Kate Oktay

    Dunedin

    Media Relations

  • Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with a receding hairline, short hair, and a beard, wearing a suit jacket and white collared shirt, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

    Anthony Clearwater

    Christchurch

    Strategic communications, media and engagement

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with short wavy hair, wearing a collared shirt, outdoors with blurred background.

    Mel Weddell

    Napier

    Strategic Communications

  • Black and white photo of a smiling man with styled hair wearing a scarf and a jacket.

    Sean O'Brien

    Wellington

    Government Relations and Media

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a dark button-up shirt, sitting indoors near a window with a cityscape view in the background.

    Hanna Butler

    Napier

    Strategic communications and engagement

  • Black and white photo of a woman with short, curly hair, smiling, wearing large earrings and a chain necklace.

    Kim Thomas

    Christchurch

    Media Relations

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling at the camera in a black and white photo.

    Polly Hauraki

    Currently based overseas

    Strategic communications, investor communications and sustainability.