Merewai Durutalo

Pitching and researching story ideas

• Stacking up story angles and understanding how to deliver them.
• Understanding news - digital world
• Learning Radio Broadcasting and how to tailor scripts for radio.
• Learning legal and live news
• Auckland newsroom partner placements 2-week rotations and regional newsroom placements
• Proficient at different interview styles and how to deliver interviews.
• Executing a media package via iPhone.
• Utilized social media to engage readers and promote content.
• Applied understanding of public opinion, social media, and traditional media use to create engaging and attention-grabbing stories.
• Provided on-air commentary for local radio and television stations.
• Cultivated strong relationships with sources and other contacts to support leads and story development.
• Performed research and checked facts to maintain high standard of journalistic integrity.
• Edited and proofread articles to achieve peak accuracy and quality.
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current events and industry trends.
• Developed story ideas and conducted interviews with industry experts and celebrities.
• Utilized STRATUS and iNEWS software to produce professional pieces.
• Collaborated with editors and other journalists to create compelling content.
• Evaluated and followed up on news leads and news tips to develop story ideas.
• Researched and gathered information to develop accurate and credible stories.
• Collaborated with editors and other staff members to refine story angles and content.
• Developed relationships with sources and contacts to gain additional insight.
• Edited, proofread and fact-checked content for accuracy.
• Attended press conferences and other media events to gather relevant information and quotes for stories.
• Participated in editorial meetings to discuss story ideas and content.
• Researched and analyzed newsworthy events, trends and issues.
• Coordinated with photographers, videographers and graphic designers to supplement stories with multimedia content.
• Utilized clear communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with people.
• Wrote, edited and produced stories for Internet and digital channels.
• Wrote pieces and news stories for online publication, coordinating images and layout to deliver proper presentation.
• Wrote and published articles for leading media networks in New Zealand.
• Organized material, determined area of emphasis and wrote stories according to prescribed editorial style and format standards.

• Ensuring quality conversations with clients applying for public housing to support sustainable housing placements, in both public and private housing.
• Support people to stay in current tenancies.
• Right service, right client, right time.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key external and internal stakeholders.
• Improved client housing stability by developing individualized case management plans and providing ongoing support.
• Streamlined case management processes for increased efficiency and effectiveness with thorough documentation practices.
• Empowered clients to make informed decisions related to their housing needs by conducting comprehensive assessments and providing tailored guidance.
• Established partnerships within the community to address various barriers faced by clients seeking stable housing opportunities, such as employment or mental health support services.
• Provided crisis intervention services as necessary to ensure client safety while addressing urgent issues related to shelter or transitional living arrangements.
• Developed partnerships with community organizations to expand services and referrals.
• Managed caseload to satisfy multiple clients with diverse needs.
• Assessed risk factors of clients and made referrals for further services.
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• Provide all help available within MSD operational policy
• Culturally aware, uses an open, courteous, and empathetic manner in all interactions to build trust and rapport with clients
• Listen empathetically to gather information from clients using open ended questions and active listening skills to understand and assess each client's unique needs
• Staying up to date with MSD knowledge on products and services, this includes contracted providers, local labour markets and social services to provide clients with available assistance
• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation/regulations/policies and how it applies
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills.

• Liaising with students and attendance taking for Pacific Division of Health Sciences tutorials every evening
• Helping students with small queries regarding tutorial notes or other queries that they may need answered by Division of Health Sciences
• Liaising with PSSSG (Pacific Student Staff Support Group) members regarding Friday Lunches Seminars for PIPHSA (Pacific Island Health Professional Student's Association)
• Networking with other Pacific Division of Health Sciences staff regarding monthly reports (attendance data for each semester)
• Organising Friday Lunch Seminars for guest speakers from within the Division of University of Otago as well as local Health professionals within the community
• Helping with information evenings for Pacific Health Sciences first year students
• Working with excel spreadsheets on attendance data taking for each semester Being flexible during COVID-19 lockdown over zoom and coming off zoom back into face-to-face contact with students for attendance taking.

• Assisting the Associate Dean Pacific in planning and facilitating the OBS Outreach Programme for Year 9 and 10's through launching workshops
• Closely liaising with local High School principals, 'Pacific Deans, 'teachers', Coordinating and promoting the PIPE (Pacific Incubate Programme - Entrepreneurship)
• Working with excel spreadsheets and templates for the coordination of the PIPE Programme
• Working collaboratively with OBS academic and professional staff, OBS Pacific students' and mentors' as well as local Pacific Businesspeople in Dunedin
• Provide administrative support with email correspondence, telephone enquiries internal and external stakeholders -teachers, parents, and students as well OBS staff and Pacific Community organisation and members
• Assist in the collection of material for proof reading and distribution of resources as required
• Promote Business amongst the Dunedin Pacific communities
• Provide minute taking, record keeping, prepare/and or produce information, materials, PowerPoints and documents including programme evaluations and feedback.

• Responding to tutorial requests within 24 hours
• Liaising closely with departments and course coordinators to ensure the correct help is given to students and appropriate tutors employed
• Maintaining clear database of tutor details, tutorials attendance and requests
• Ensure maximum attendance at tutorials and follow up on students not attending
• To liaise with academic departments and support services with respect to any issues relating to students and their course of study
• To maintain clear records of students, contact and attendance in the PIC database
• Ensure maximum attendance at tutorials and follow up on students not attending
• Assist staff with running the Postgraduate seminars and Pacific voices symposium
• Keep the manager informed of activities and any problems/issues as they arise
• Give ideas and feedback for all Academic programmes
• Encourage increased participation and support of academic programmes and events by students
• Ensure all student contact is entered promptly and accurately in student database
• Being present at all academic events including Pacific Island graduation breakfast ceremonies
• Being present to help in weekly supervised study nights from Mondays to Thursdays from 5pm to 7:30pm.

• Efficient use of government computer programmes
• Efficient and quick in typing
• Great note taking skills when speaking with customers on phone calls
• Clear concise communication skills
• Able to empathize utilizing emotional I.Q but also being able to maintain professionalism
• Utilizing legislation that relates the line of work being done (Child Support Act 1991 legislation)
• Able to take own initiative on decision making that is best suited for an individual customer taking in consideration their own unique experiences
• Able to network and build good rapport with other officers
• Great eye for detail as working in child support has taught me how to look quickly at things specifically in database records on the computer different screens for the customer in a short time limit whilst being on the phone with them, and being able to deliver information quickly and efficiently
• It has also enabled me to read in between a situation and utilizing my customer service skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Able to direct customers to useful resources i.e
• Inland revenue website, pamphlets, etc.