Rate My Professor Hone Paul

Hone Paul serves as the Director of Marketing at the University of Otago, leading the Marketing Services team based in the Clocktower Building on the Dunedin campus. Appointed to this senior role in 2021, as documented in the University of Otago Annual Report 2021 and Otago Magazine issue 53, he previously held a position at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Of Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Awa, and Te Arawa iwi, Paul infuses his work with cultural authenticity. Under his leadership, the university executed the transformative Tuakiritaka rebrand, launched via a dawn ceremony in May 2024 in collaboration with mana whenua. This project wove together mātauraka Māori, whakapapa, history, reo Māori, and narratives to forge a genuine identity honoring Otago’s Indigenous culture, heritage, and sense of place. The effort garnered four Best Design Awards in October 2024: gold in Graphic – Large Brand Identity for Tuakiritaka, silver in Toitanga for the collaborative process, silver for the Down For It campaign in Moving Image – Motion Design & Animation, and silver for the Wickliffe Type Family font in Graphic – Design Craft. Hone Paul joined the Future Students Marketing team, Designworks, and cultural partner Ephraim Russell in celebrating these achievements.

Paul has advanced the university's digital and recruitment frontiers. He oversaw the rollout of UserWay for next-generation web accessibility, advancing Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka’s commitment to inclusivity and digital excellence. Recruitment initiatives under his direction, including vibrant Open Days, immerse prospective students in Otago life. Paul has engaged stakeholders at forums like the 2023 Careers Advisers' Conference, presenting on marketing strategies. His contributions underscore a purposeful approach blending strategic innovation with cultural significance, elevating the university's profile and community impact.