Aaron Hawkins
Director
Aaron is a recovering elected member and resource management commissioner, who served for nine years on the Dunedin City Council (the last three of these as Mayor). Over that time he saw the prioritisation of social and environmental wellbeing, and the city’s relationship with mana whenua, as critical to its long term success.
Fundamental to this is the understanding that building stronger communities is an essential part of a just transition to a safer climate future. Neighbourhood scale, community-led development is one of the best tools we have to achieve this.
A desire to help enable this work, and build the capacity of communities to drive it, is what led him to the kaupapa of Inspiring Communities.
Aaron is the Chair of the Cosy Homes Trust and a co-founder of Floruit, a new social enterprise that is reimagining land use to support better biodiversity outcomes. In his spare time he collects music and follows infuriating sports teams.
He lives in Ōtepoti Dunedin with his wife Anya; their young son Emile; and their ageing greyhound Bridget.
Natalie Gousmett
Operations Manager
Natalie lives in Whakatū Nelson with her partner Drew, their two young daughters and their senior pup. Natalie is a specialist in people management, leadership, community organisations, facilitation, and fundraising.
She has a strong commitment to social and environmental justice and has worked in the community sector for over 18 years in organisations as varied as Wellington Rape Crisis, the Wilderness Canoe Trust, Nelson Arts Festival, Victory Community Centre, Nelson Women’s and Children’s Refuge and many more.
Natalie has a BA in Psychology and Gender Studies and a Diploma for Graduates in Management from University of Otago, a Certificate in Professional Supervision from Weltec, a Graduate Diploma in Not-for-Profit Management from Unitec and a Certificate in Te Ara Reo Māori from Te Wananga o Aotearoa. While CLD is new to Natalie in many ways it is also a natural fit for her experience and background.
In her spare time Natalie loves learning Te Reo, singing, climbing, skiing, swimming, mountain biking and sharing the outdoors of beautiful Te Tau Ihu with her family.
Email: natalie.gousmett@inspiringcommunities.org.nz
Mobile: 0274 126 280
Kat McLennan
Communications Manager
Kat has had 20 years working in design, marketing and communications spanning a number of industries including printing and sign manufacture, events, SaaS and the NGO sector (museums, heritage, conservation, advocacy). This diversity brings a depth of experience to her storytelling, and a good grasp of the many mediums through which we can make connections with our communities. In more recent years, she’s focused on the digital side of things, and enjoys the dynamic of this ever-changing environment.
With a BA in Communications Design from the University of Otago and a Graduate Diploma in Museum & Heritage Studies from Victoria University, Kat is a keen learner and actively seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge. She is excited to uncover more about community-led development and sharing positive outcomes for communities.
A busy mum to one, Kat lives south of Ōtepoti/Dunedin with her partner and daughter where they live in a rural community. A passionate champion for sustainability and the environment, much of her spare time is spent on the land, growing food for herself, whānau and friends.
You can reach Kat on comms@inspiringcommunities.org.nz
David Hanna
David is a fourth generation Pākehā, a partner in a civil union, a father of four children, a Director of a Social Change/Service Organisation (Wesley Community Action) and CLD Influencer and Practice Lead for Inspiring Communities.
He has worked as a national NGO youth director, a policy manager in Central Government, a consultant on youth development, a trainer in policy analysis and now a director.
Key themes across his activities are bicultural/Treaty of Waitangi perspectives, systems/holistic action/thinking, positive child and youth development and grounding what we do in an authentic spirituality.
David is currently providing guidance to the Child Rich Communities project.
Lynnette Holland
Communications and Administration Assistant
With over 30 years of experience in administration across a range of sectors, I have developed a deep understanding of what it takes to excel in this field. Most recently, I have been gaining exposure to the Primary Industries Sector in my current role as Student/Admin Support for the Emerging Leaders Programme, which has gained momentum over the last three years with cohorts from Horticulture NZ, Dairy NZ, and the private sector.
In 2018, I was introduced to the Ag Sector while working for an Agtech company in Mosgiel. During my two and a half years there, I organized their company events, including large agricultural events throughout New Zealand, and worked closely with the sales team to support their online presence and increase business. Social media content creation quickly became a superpower, which proved especially valuable when the sales team were grounded due to COVID-19.
Before my time with this Agtech company, I spent 7 and a half years in a small Western Australian mining town before returning to Dunedin in 2015. Shortly after my return, I secured two shorter fixed-term contracts, first as a Team Support member for New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) and then as an Administrative Assistant for the Brain Health Research Centre at the University of Otago. Working for NZTE gave me an excellent overview of local businesses in Dunedin and introduced me to the startup culture that is prevalent in the city.
Now, in 2023, with almost 8 years of experience in Dunedin, I have valuable local knowledge and contacts necessary as a contractor living and working in a small city. I am excited to be a part of Inspiring Communities as the Admin and Comms Support, where I bring my diverse skillset and extensive industry knowledge to support and enhance our initiatives.
Kindra Douglas
Kindra’s first foray into community development was successfully advocating to Council in the early 1980’s for land for the local netball club to establish courts and a clubhouse. Kindra’s direct experience has been in initiating and developing projects over 40 years within the sport, environment, housing, and the community sector. These projects have been awarded for their depth of innovation, collaboration and expanding relationships to include other sectors to enhance possibilities.
Kindra comes from eclectic work contexts – primary teaching, publishing and bookselling, arts and crafts, business administration, counselling, and group work, contributing now to her own enterprise of Enrich. She actively uses maps and models that support understanding of where we are now, and the wider system dynamics we are amongst, to inform how to develop achievable milestones for success. She always has an eye for the wider context of projects, seeking other connections to support the mission; to be generative and creative.
Kindra has a deep commitment to personal empowerment within the context of the community. This extends to her facilitation and mentoring work with Inspiring Communities – bringing that depth of experience and skill to finding ways to enrich what already exists in communities – knowing that what gets developed from the flaxroots by those who care is more likely to endure and make the most difference.
Gwyn John
Gwyn is passionate about people and social justice, and thrives to design a better future for people and the planet through her mahi.
With a background in Community Development and Social Work, Gwyn has been actively involved in the Community and Social Service Sector for nearly 30 years in a wide variety of roles, working with local government, community organisations, tertiary education, and the volunteer sector.
Gwyn has a passion for learning and finding solutions for, and opportunities in, the complexities of our world. In her pursuit of understanding, she’s not afraid to challenge injustices and structures that no longer serve the community.
Born and raised in Ahuriri, Gwyn calls Te Matau-a-Maui home, where she lives with her 17-years old son.
Anna Parker
Supporting the growth of strong and resilient communities is at the heart of Anna’s mahi. Anna has diverse experience of grassroots community development – having worked on peace building efforts with indigenous women leaders in Bougainville (PNG) to activating the community-led vision for the Valley Project in North Dunedin.
Youth development is a particular passion – often Anna is called in to build processes with young people from the ground up – and to enhance the ways groups and organisations work with young people.
Anna is a reflective practitioner and a systems thinker committed to social justice. Anna thrives when working cross-culturally and enjoys supporting communities to navigate their journey with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Currently Anna is director of Mātāwai Consultancy and supports a number of Otago based organisations to think strategically and grow their impact. Mātāwai offers facilitation, mentoring, strategic advice, research, Te Tiriti o Waitangi education, event and project management.
Originally from Ōtautahi/Christchurch, Anna has called Ōtepoti/Dunedin her family home for more than 10 years.
Kerry Jenner
Kerry has an extensive background in education, underpinned by her desire to see greater inclusion, more voices given credibility, and greater equality, all leading to changes that make learning accessible for all. She is especially interested in supporting adults to engage in further learning.
Her work is values based, from a strong social justice agenda. Within education, Kerry’s work spans leadership across the compulsory sector education, and includes professional development for adults. She has a strong interest in conflict resolution, and the development of customised restorative practice.
Kerry is also a narratively-based, registered counsellor, committed to working with people to access their own stories of strength. This philosophical position is similarly applied to her group work and facilitation. Facilitation skills and evaluation skills are connected to develop potential with the teams and communities in which she is engaged.
She enjoys moving from big picture strategy, to detailed analysis and critique in order to support others to reach their goals.
You can contact Kerry at associate@inspiringcommunities.org.nz