Wed 9 Apr 2008 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
The NZ AIDS Foundation is about to advertise for a new Communications Coordinator after the resignation, effective last week, of its high-profile media expert. Chris Banks took a break from his role as a part time GayNZ.com reporter in April 2006 to temporarily fill a gap caused by the resignation of the Foundation's media man, Steve Attwood. Banks was subsequently appointed to the role three months later after what the NZAF describes as "an impressive interview." The Foundation's executive director, Rachael Le Mesurier, says Banks brought skills and commitment far above that outlined in his job description. "His media relationship skills were extremely good, professional, reliable and ethical," says Le Mesurier. "He drafted clear concise media releases that were picked up by gay, straight, Maori, Pacific and Asian media in numbers that were 700% up on previous years. "He also brought a strong passionate belief in our mission and very quick intellectual grasp of the complexities and nuances of the strategies taken for increasing condom use." Le Mesurier says Banks also had a very astute understanding of how to use the media to counter really negative stigmatisation that happens. "For example, he would not let John Tamihere get away with his homophobic diatribes on Radio Live. Although we lost the [Broadcasting Standards] complaint it is interesting to note that we have not heard that level of rubbish since from Tamihere." She also highlights a drop in anti-gay, anti-HIV letters in many provincial newspapers since Banks started work to counter them. "He had a very powerful effect, and he has done an amazing service for gay men and lesbians coming out in rural NZ." Banks has a background in music and film making which was put on hold whilst he worked for the NZAF and it is understood he wants to return to those activities.