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Jacqui Van Der Kaay

Communications specialist | Writer | Political commentator | Researcher
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I’m a communications specialist, writer, political commentator and researcher based in New Zealand’s capital Wellington. I began my career as a journalist before moving into communications. After some time overseas, I returned to New Zealand to study and my undergraduate degree in politics and psychology ignited my passion for politics. I hold a Masters of Political Science from Victoria University of Wellington. I am a self-employed communications specialist with more than 20 years’ experience providing strategic communications advice to public and private sector clients. I provide commentary on New Zealand politics on Radio New Zealand’s the Panel and the Whip. I wrote a chapter about political integrity and the 2023 election for the book, Back on Track. You can listen to and read my most recent political commentary on my media page.

SERVICES

Strategic communications advice
Internal and change communications expertise
Political commentary
Research
Contact me to find out more

Latest news

  • 21 November , 2025
    Radio New Zealand: The Panel
    I joined Radio New Zealand's Wallace Chapman and the Panel to talk about Winston Peters' announcement that New Zealand First would repeal the Regulatory Standards Act just days after voting it into law. Take a listen to hear why I think we'll be seeing more of this from Peters and from Act leader David Seymour in the next 12 months. Take a listen.
  • 13 August, 2025
    Radio New Zealand: The Panel
    I was part of Radio New Zealand's new half-hour Politics Panel with former Labour Government Minister Stuart Nash and RNZ's podcast editor Tim Watkin. We discussed everything from Chloe Swarbrick being asked to leave the House twice in as many days to US President Donald Trump sending the national guard to Washington DC. Take a listen.
  • 26 February, 2025
    Change and communications: what matters most
    I was part of a panel of change communication experts, who shared our learnings on how change managers can work best with communications specialists.
  • 25 February, 2025
    Radio New Zealand's The Panel
    How much do voters care about Andrew Bayly's resignation as a Minister after touching his staff member's arm during a heated discussion? On Radio New Zealand's The Panel, I argue that integrity issues like these have a greater impact than you might think. (Discussion starts at about 14.30 mins Take a listen
  • 11 February, 2025
    Radio New Zealand's The Panel
    I joined the Panel to discuss two new political polls out yesterday which showed the left block has the numbers to form a government if an election was held today. Listen to why I think the Government is losing support and why the majority of those polled think the country is moving in the wrong direction.
  • 27 November 2024
    Radio New Zealand's The Panel
    I spoke with Wallace Chapman and the panellists about the first year of the coalition government. It was a fascinating conversation with former Green MP Sue Bradford and former National Government press secretary Ben Thomas.. Take a listen
  • 16 October 2024
    Scandals contributed to Labour’s election defeat
    Former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins admits that the series of scandals leading up to last year’s election contributed to Labour’s large defeat. In Back on Track, a new book on the 2023 New Zealand election, being launched today, Hipkins says. Read more
  • 16 September 2024
    Politicians need to lift their game
    Declining trust in New Zealand politicians should be a warning to them to lift their game. Results from the New Zealand Election Study for the 2023 election show that the level of trust in politicians has once again declined. Read more
  • 8 May 2024
    Green Party grapples with persistent scandals
    Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House. Read more
  • 30 April 2024
    Radio New Zealand The Panel
    On Radio New Zealand's The Panel, I chatted with Wallace Chapman and the panel about the latest political poll that shows a continuing decline in the Government and Prime Ministers' poll ratings. Take a listen from around 13 minutes in. Listen
  • 16 March 2024
    Greens’ transparency missing in action
    This latest scandal, allegations of migrant exploitation involving MP Darleen Tana, has once again thrown the party’s handling of such issues into the spotlight. Like Ghahraman, there have been questions about who knew what and when and about when the public would be told. Read more
  • 16 January 2024
    Green MP’s resignation leaves questions unanswered
    Golraz Ghahraman’s resignation as a Green MP was the inevitable outcome after more than a week of speculation following several allegations of shoplifting. However, her resignation has left many unanswered questions about how the Green Party handled this first political scandal of 2024. Read more
  • 12 January, 2024
    Shoplifting allegation damage already done
    Regardless of the outcome of the investigation into alleged shoplifting by Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, it seems likely the damage is already done. Read more
  • 24 November, 2023
    Radio New Zealand the Panel
    Just after the new Government coalition between National, Act, and NZ First is announced, I provide my analysis of what to watch for in the coming months. Listen

jacqui@vdk.co.nz


Ijacqui@vdk.co.nz
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