Former television front man Neil Waka has just been appointed Coca-Cola Amatil NZ’s new corporate affairs manager. Waka will lead the company’s communications team, with responsibility on media relations, strategic policies and initiatives, as well as government and stakeholder relations, whilst also developing communications strategies to support the brand’s community partnerships.
During his 25-year-long career, Waka has taken on high profile roles within different media and news outlets, such as TV3 and TVNZ One News, and spent over five years as corporate affairs manager of General Motors Holden.
“Neil’s appointment is an exciting one for us,” said Wendy Rayner, general manager of strategy and brand, Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA). “There would be a few people that have his front line media experience along with his corporate affairs expertise, and we are looking forward to sharing our stories with Kiwis everywhere.”
Waka is confident that he will be able to face all challenges ahead in an ‘open, transparent and honest way.’
“I have always believed that for a company to be truly successful there needs to be honesty and integrity, and most of all a company needs to treat its people with respect – this company does that in bucket loads,” he said. “I have had several weeks in the business already and have seen that this is a Kiwi company who really do put their people first. I am overwhelmed by the level of positivity, dynamism and passion that exists here, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were few other New Zealand companies with this kind of culture.”
CCA currently employs over 1,000 people, and accounts for four production facilities, 13 bottling lines and three warehouses throughout New Zealand.
