Niki Schuck (nee Hodge) established her own public relations and talent management business in 2008, which is now called NSPR Limited. Having started as a sole trader, the business has now grown to a private company with a team of six, two of which are now also directors.
NSPR works with some of New Zealand’s most loved celebrities on the talent management side of the business, as well as being trusted PR advisors for many businesses, entrepreneurs, charities and not-for-profits. Clients are spread throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Following on from her days at St Hilda’s (1982-1986), Niki completed a B.Com (Accounting) at the University of Otago on a part-time basis while working for KPMG. Following her family’s tradition, she was drawn to retail and established a beachhead in Dunedin for Australian brand Just Jeans with the aim of then moving into the family business. However, with the development of chain stores escalating, the iconic Penroses’ Department Store made the decision to close. While initially devasting, this created an opportunity for Niki to expand on her NZ Speech Board teaching qualifications, completing a Diploma in Secondary Teacher Training. She taught at Fiordland College in Te Anau before being approached by the Hillary Commission (now Sport New Zealand) to work with regional sporting organisations developing strategic plans to grow sporting participation in Southland. She was heavily involved with the restructure of the Southland Rugby Football Union into Rugby Southland, Netball Southland, the commercial development of Cycling Southland’s plans for an indoor velodrome and media management and community programmes for the Tour of Southland.
The Community Trust of Southland subsequently approached Niki to develop and expand their community programme and assist with the allocation of $8-$10 million annually to sporting, not-for-profit, charitable, and arts and culture groups. She was awarded a Rotary Scholarship to travel to Finland in 2002 and on returning made the decision to relocate to Auckland to pursue her career in public relations, initially as PR Director for Westpac and then for House of Travel.
Outside of work, Niki and her husband have two adult children. They enjoy all that living on Waiheke Island offers, from the outdoors to the stunning vineyards – swapping Speights for Syrah! In 2015, Niki founded W3 (Wonderful Waiheke Women), a networking group for women on the island. Members range in age from 25 to 85 and the database now boasts over 400 women. Niki is also on the Friends of McKenzie Reserve Committee – which has seen a partnership with the Auckland Council and local board flourish. Old pine trees were felled and 15 years on, over 10,000 natives planted by volunteers have created a botanical reserve and a true community asset. Niki is a huge Vodafone Warriors rugby league fan and was a director of the club from February 2016 until the Club was sold in May 2018. To find out more about Niki's business visit her website - www.nsprltd.com