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.