Presentation Skills Training – Auckland & NZ

The Pickering Group is an Auckland-based training company. For twenty years we’ve taught professionals across New Zealand and Australia to speak well in the rooms that matter – and most of those rooms are small. A board of six, two people across a table, a leadership team that needs convincing. The big stage is part of it, but careers are made in the structured conversation with three or four people who need to be informed or convinced.

Most of our work is in-house: a team of up to ten, built around the presentations your people actually have to give. We also run keynotes and short workshops for larger groups, and one-to-one coaching when there’s a single high-stakes presentation on the line. A small number of public courses run each year in Auckland, and in other centres when enough people ask.

Everything we teach comes back to three practices: Planning, Messaging and Delivery. And to a simple idea: start with something worth saying. Most people start with the slides. We start with the idea, and with what you want the audience to think, feel or do differently. Once that’s sorted, the rest gets a lot easier.

If you’re a manager looking for development for your team, start here.

What our clients say

“Russell has been working with our people for nearly twenty years, through every change of name, structure and leadership this business has been through. Suppliers don't last that long unless they keep delivering. He does. Every programme is built around what our people actually present, and they walk out able to do it better.”

Mary Meki Sales Director – At Home, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners New Zealand

“Russell Pickering has become our most highly valued facilitator, both for team communication programmes and one-on-one coaching focused on impactful presenting. Our team at Lane Neave consistently rate Russell highly and we never struggle to fill his courses. In fact, word of mouth does all of the promotion for us. I would highly recommend Russell to any firm or organisation looking to build skilled and authentic communicators who can connect with audiences and deliver messages that have lasting impact.”

Yvette Hooper Head of People and Capability, Lane Neave

“We've partnered with The Pickering Group across presentation skills, influence and persuasion, and storytelling. What stands out is Russell's ability to adapt his programmes to the needs of very different audiences, from technical specialists to senior leaders. We've seen the learning translate into stronger communication, greater influence, and more effective stakeholder engagement across our teams.”

Justine Slattery Learning & Development Manager, Danone New Zealand

“Working in a dynamic, intrinsically hazardous environment requires subject matter experts to build trust and influence across a range of internal and external stakeholders. Russell's coaching has helped my team of safety business partners build their presentation skills and confidence in delivering messages with clarity, impact and purpose.”

Rob Mair General Manager Health Safety and Wellbeing, Port of Auckland

“We've had a number of employees attend Russell's Fundamentals of Business Presenting programme over the years, and the feedback has consistently been excellent. Participants come away with greater confidence, practical presentation skills, and techniques they can immediately apply in their roles. Russell's engaging and supportive approach makes the training both enjoyable and highly effective, and we would happily recommend him and his programmes to other organisations.”

Anna Pule Director, People & Culture, Matariki Forests

“The ‘Leading with Stories’ programme empowered our senior leaders to continue telling the stories of our transformation – to lift our strategy out of the spreadsheets and PowerPoints and into the hearts of our people.”

Wayne McNee then Chief Executive, LIC

“Russell Pickering is STELLAR at his craft, absolutely the best in New Zealand. He exemplifies presence and connection. My clients rate him as a top notch presenter and executive coach. If you need to ramp up your impact as a leader, Russell is the man to call.”

Harold Hillman, Ph.D. Managing Director, Sigmoid Curve Consulting Group

“Hugely popular courses – with immediate, tangible results. Well over a hundred of our people are now more impactful, confident speakers because of The Pickering Group’s programmes”

Kerry Dewar Leadership & Capability Manager Mercury

“The ability to communicate your ideas with clarity, to inspire your audience to action, to share stories that bring your business strategy to life – these are all essential qualities for leaders in the modern business world. Nobody helps you do that better than Russell and his team at The Pickering Group.”

Joanna Simon Chief Executive, Starship Foundation

“Russell takes you out of your comfort zone and into a growth zone related to the art of presenting and personal persuasion. He is masterful at his craft; a true sensei in every regard. Step Into the Spotlight is an incredible gift of wisdom, insights and practical ways to influence others with maximum impact.”

Harold Hillman Managing Director, Sigmoid Curve Consulting Group