Our Thinking

Our strength is in understanding how brands, consumers, business, Government and communities interact. We identify and make connections where others don’t, taking an integrated approach across earned, owned and paid channels. We create conversations that matter.

Acumen's Post Election Reflections

Oct. 20, 2023

A year or so out from the 2023 General Election, Acumen’s Government Relations team shares some historical political observations that have relevance today and what this could mean for the election result.

The budget through a communications lens

May 18, 2023

A year or so out from the 2023 General Election, Acumen’s Government Relations team shares some historical political observations that have relevance today and what this could mean for the election result.

Election Pathways & Leadership Capital

Oct. 18, 2022

A year or so out from the 2023 General Election, Acumen’s Government Relations team shares some historical political observations that have relevance today and what this could mean for the election result.

Budget 2022: A Labour Budget

May 20, 2022

The budget is the ultimate coming together of politics and the economy. It cannot easily be separated from its political context, and contexts change. When the Minister of Finance began preparations for this budget late last year his government’s political and economic contexts were very different.

Business Building Trust & Social Cohesion: An Unlikely Hero Emerges?

May 11, 2022

Part two of Acumen Group Account Director - Government Relations, Jon Johansson's analysis of the 2022 Acumen Edelman Trust Barometer results.

Cycle of Mistrust: Work to Do and Opportunities for New Zealand Institutions

April 7, 2022

Part one of Acumen Group Account Director - Government Relations, Jon Johansson's analysis of the 2022 Acumen Edelman Trust Barometer results.

Social Insurance: A New Zealand Income Insurance Scheme

Feb. 4, 2022

This week the Labour Government has attempted a reset to regain the political initiative. That was the setting for the tri-partite announcement about Social Insurance.

Victoria Spackman ONZM joins Acumen as a Director

Nov. 4, 2021

Victoria Spackman has been appointed as a director of the Acumen Trust Board and the Acumen New Zealand Board.

Proposals for a new Waste Strategy: Our analysis

Oct. 13, 2021

Last week the Government released "Te kawe i te haepapa para, Taking responsibility for our waste, Proposals for a new waste strategy" from the Minister for the Environment, more simply known as the "Waste Strategy".

Buying time: Government’s Emissions Reduction Consultation Document

Oct. 13, 2021

Read Dr Jon Johansson's, Acumen's Group Account Director – Government Relations, analysis of the Emission Reduction Plan.

The Week That Was, 10 September 2021

Sept. 10, 2021

Another week closer to daylight saving and we shine a light on Level 4, Facebook glasses, emissions, and NZ On Air's "Where our audiences are".

The Week That Was, 3 September 2021

Sept. 3, 2021

As the outbreak of the Delta variant and the associated lockdown continues across New Zealand, we hope you are all safe and well. Here's some good news for you to enjoy as we move into the weekend and the week beyond.