Green Innovation sector scores “brain re-gain”

For Immediate Release
5 December 2011

Green Innovation sector scores “brain re-gain” with new Hikurangi Foundation Director

Alex Hannant comes onboard as Executive Director at key New Zealand climate change project incubator, the Hikurangi Foundation in December.

The Hikurangi Foundation was founded in 2008 to catalyse innovative action on sustainability and climate change in New Zealand. In three years it has already helped fund and support more than 25 climate change entrepreneurs and community-led climate projects. They are currently helping drive and support projects including Little Greenie 2 – a second prototype home by the builders of NZ’s highest energy star rated house; the flexi-bus public transport service in Matakana; and a national cycleways programme.

Alex returns from the UK to take the reins of this ambitious operation with an impressive background, including recent roles as Director at LEAD International in London and Head of Partnerships for the global Climate and Development Knowledge Network.

"I feel excited and privileged to be coming back to New Zealand to take up the role of Executive Director at the Hikurangi Foundation.” says Alex.

“These are interesting times; if you look around the world pretty much everywhere is experiencing rapid, unpredictable and systemic change. Looking ahead I see organisations like Hikurangi - who are both strategic and practical, entrepreneurial and socially-minded - playing an increasingly important role in making sure we stay ahead of the curve. New Zealand has an impressive track record in ingenuity and innovation, Hikurangi is here to build and support that culture, and accelerate the development of the ideas and talent that will benefit us all.”

Alex takes over from outgoing Executive Director Liana Stupples, who has headed Hikurangi since its start. After three years building and shaping the organisation, Stupples is ready to move on to new challenges. Having recently completed her outdoor leadership training, she is looking forward to continuing her work facilitating projects and ideas, but outside the office walls.

Hikurangi Board Chair Tom Lambie says, “There is no doubt we’ll miss Liana; her energy and instincts have been invaluable. But at the same time, we are very pleased to have Alex coming on board, and are very excited to watch him put into action his ideas on where we go from here.”

Alex Hannant joined the Hikurangi Foundation on 28 November and will be based in Wellington.

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