ABOUT US
In a world awash with empty talk and noise masquerading as “content”, we stand for writing that actually says something.
Our purpose is to have you stand out – clearly, unmistakably, and in a way that has others nodding their heads in agreement.
Every business has a story. Ours begins in 2000, in the front room of a Sandringham villa where Ken found himself before a keyboard after quitting his well-paid life in the advertising industry.
For the first few years, Ken supported his family with freelance advertising writing. But a funny thing was happening – not only did Ken's hair become thinner, but so did the ad agency work.
Then, one day, a client asked for help with a bid document. Other clients were also turning to Ken for help with longer form writing like annual reports, white papers and corporate websites.
In 2011, Ken pivoted, as they say. He changed the company name to Department of Writing, believing the market wanted a place it could reliably go for high quality business-to-business writing.
Not satisfied with that, Ken also created a writing course for business people. He was driven in part by anger at the big sums of money large training companies were charging for second rate courses that made little difference.
Since then, the business has steadily grown, establishing itself as a leader in the kind of writing where impressions really count, and also as a writing trainer for those committed to mastering this critical skill.
Writer
Lesley joined the Department of Writing team in 2016 and is a preferred writer for large projects. She is the primary bid writer for the company’s largest client, OfficeMax, and works with their sales and marketing teams to manage 100+ projects a year. A former journalist, Lesley brings more than 40 years' writing experience to her role, having worked as a reporter and editor of newspapers, trade publications, magazines, and websites, and as a writer of charity appeals. Originally trained in law, she understands that effective communication is vital to building and maintaining relationships, both business and personal. She has excellent listening skills and considerable experience with interviewing people and encouraging them to tell their stories, for print and video.
Writer
Terri is former litigator with a talent for transforming complex concepts into compelling narratives, making her an asset in the bid-writing arena. Terri excels at collaborating with cross-functional teams to highlight competitive advantages and creating compelling bids under pressure. Terri honed her legal skills as a solicitor, where she handled civil litigation matters and developed strong research and problem-solving abilities. Her background enhances her capacity to draft bid documents that resonate with stakeholders.
Writer
Through an extensive marketing career, Colleen has developed a powerful connection to communication as a tool and has ability to unravel complex “stuff” and turn it into something that everyone relates to. Along with a post graduate qualification in business and a Diploma in Journalism, her marketing experience has equipped her understand people and collaborate on shared goals. Colleen’s experience includes sales and sales team leadership, strategising sales plans, marketing management, product management, brand management and marketing communications. A former director of marketing, she has worked in the energy sector, the building supplies industry and education sector, and was at times holding a portfolio of seven Pacific Island countries.
Writer
Ian is an editor, writer, and former general news and business journalist. He has more than 40 years’ experience in journalism, writing and editing magazines, trade publications, websites, and in public relations, scriptwriting, and speechwriting for corporate organisations, both in-house and in consultancies. He is particularly adept at working in the technical, engineering, and infrastructure fields, grasping complexities quickly and translating them for non-specialist audiences in engaging, entertaining copy. He is an experienced interviewer and is skilled in creating compelling and well-rounded presentations of their stories.
Project Manager
Amanda brings with her many years’ in people and project management. She is a master at engaging with people at all levels, across industries and organisations, from hospitality, HR, marketing, operations, publishing, and personal and professional training and development.
With international experience in the UK, Thailand, Singapore and Australia, Amanda has a keen interest in empowering others to fulfil on their potential in a collaborative, team-oriented and forward-focussed way. She has successfully led teams committed to bringing about fundamental change and has a history of developing others to become leaders themselves.
Clients love working with Amanda for her winning spirit and dedication to keeping projects moving towards a successful outcome.
Director
Ken has helped companies with winning bid documents, proposals, blog articles, white papers, and more. His clients over a 35-year career include Fletcher Construction, Downer, Heb, Vodafone (now One New Zealand), Air New Zealand, Fisher & Paykel, and six of Australia's top 10 companies. They also include numerous smaller companies whose owners share a commitment to growth. In tender writing, his company has helped clients win contracts totalling in the billions of dollars. Ken’s primary role today is to help kick off major projects, ensuring they are strategically robust; nurture client relationships; mentor (and source) writers; and oversee the quality of work produced by the Department of Writing team. One of Ken’s most valuable skills is his ability to cut to the heart of the matter and connect with senior decision makers.
Writer
Jenna joined Department of Writing in 2025 from a background in fundraising for not for profits. She is a results producer who, when she is not writing winning bids for our clients, continues to make a difference with some of New Zealand's best known support agencies. Jenna has also taught English in South Korea played a pivotal communications role during the New Zealand Special Olympics.
Strategic Growth Partner
After a long career in the corporate world, Bhavna joined Department of Writing in early 2026. Her role is to liaise with clients in identifying opportunities to grow their business. She is well equipped to do this, having played a pivotal role in developing new products and services for previous employers and also managing fast-moving, mission critical projects to a successful conclusion.
An integral part of our team
The writers at Department of Writing have become an integral part of our bid writing function at OfficeMax and have supported us in winning millions of dollars of business. They are astute, highly experienced professionals who produce work to a very high standard, often to tight deadlines. Coupled with this, I've personally appreciated the insight and advice offered to me and my team on ways to be smarter and more successful in our bid writing strategy.
Sonja Webb
Marketing Manager, OfficeMax
A tough assignment
A huge thank you to you and your team for the effort put into our Registration of Interest. Being right on Christmas, a short bid period, and much content to research and write, this was a tough assignment. We were thrilled to learn we’d been shortlisted! Thanks for the part you played in getting us there. Submissions Manager, HEB Construction
Melanie Johnson
Submissions Manager, HEB Construction
Nailed it!
Milford is one of New Zealand’s largest investment companies, with over $20bn of funds under management. We’ve recently engaged Department of Writing for two mission-critical projects aimed at powerful decision makers. Both demanded an ability to quickly grasp the strategic subtleties of the project and the skills to build a case that was both compelling and engaging. Department of Writing nailed both projects with ease and I have no hesitation in recommending them to others
Sarah Norrie
Chief Marketing Officer, Milford Asset Management
E: info@departmentofwriting.co.nz
P: +64 9 951 9691
M: +64 21 393 170