People

Meet our people

Trustees of the Foundation are:
Tom Lambie (chair) – Organic Dairy Farmer, Lincoln University Chancellor and former National President of Federated Farmers
George Asher – Chief Executive Lake Taupo Forest Trust
Matthew Jansen – Strategy and Communications Consultant, formerly Meridian Energy’s Communications Director
Suzi Kerr – Director and Senior Fellow of Motu and an environmental economist
Rod Oram – Writer and Journalist
David Wratt – NIWA’s Chief Scientist for climate change, Director of the New Zealand Climate Change Centre,  IPCC Bureau member and Chair of the Royal Society’s NZ Climate Committee

Executive Director

Alex Hannant, Executive Director of Hikurangi

Alex Hannant is the Executive Director of the Hikurangi Foundation. Before joining Hikurangi, Alex was Director of Programmes at Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) – a global network focused on leadership development and learning for sustainability. Alex was also the Head of Partnerships at the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) – a UK and Dutch Government funded initiative providing technical advice and services on climate compatible development to decision makers in developing countries.

Alex specialises in the design and delivery of strategies and programmes that focus on learning and social innovation – moving ideas into action. He has extensive international experience, and took a lead role in pioneering the CDKN Action Lab and Innovation Fund. Alexʼs research background focused on sustainability communications and behaviour change and the practical application of social psychology in policy, management practice, and community-led programmes.

Alexʼs interests focus on keeping up with the accelerating rate of technological, social, and environmental change and emerging global trends. He is fascinated by learning, innovation, and transformative processes, and enjoys collaborative work across sectors, cultures and disciplines. In his current role with Hikurangi, he aims to help build and support a culture of green innovation in New Zealand through the development of talent, learning networks, and game-changing initiatives.