Hannah Watkinson is a born and raised Cantabrian
with a whole lot of love for Ōtautahi!
I am a creative with an interest in bridging and leveraging corporate/private partnerships with artists and entrepreneurs. While completing the first iteration of my Postgraduate studies in Fine Arts I founded In Situ Photo Project, NZ’s only public art space dedicated to the photographic medium.
My photographic practice considers the genres of fine art and documentary, attempting to communicate the psychological landscape and social-political environment through images. In 2021 I published a book titled The Near Future, a study of the Buller region drawing on a decade of research and photographic archive. The book is available to purchase via email.
Since the beginning of 2018 I have been the managing director of Salt Lane Studios (previously The Corner Store) artist studios, providing affordable space, professional development and access to exhibition opportunities for 20+ creatives in Christchurch.
I also worked for two years as project coordinator for Life in Vacant Spaces on their East x East space – 9 hectares of Residential Red Zone in Burwood, Christchurch. During this time I also contracted to Styx Living Laboratory Trust, a local river care group, as interim project manager for a $4.2M Ministry for the Environment funded Freshwater Improvement Fund, as well as supporting ChristchurchNZ in establishing a sustainable business model to enable New Brighton’s Roy Stokes Hall to remain a community facility.
I contracted to Three Boys Brewery to project manage new ideas and initiatives, as well as a range of other businesses, projects and not-for-profits.
In 2021 I completed my Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury and have since regularly lectured in Photography at Ilam School of Fine Arts.
In my current role as Rivers Delivery Advisor at Environment Canterbury, I'm loving working as part of a values - based organisation who values Te Tiriti, co-governance and genuine community engagement while managing and supporting important work protecting and enhancing our river ecosystems, including our incredible Waitaha braided rivers, ki uta ki tai.
In my spare time I develop sales and marketing as co-founder of Third Island Gin with Rakiura Distilling Company, a boutique distillery located in my tūrangawaewae of Rakiura, Stewart Island.
I previously sat on the Board of Te Tira Kāhikuhiku, the Red Zone Transformative Land Use Group, the The Green Effect Trust, and Watch This Space Trust. I am currently the Chairperson of the Styx Living Laboratory Trust as well as Co-Chair of the Heathcote Valley Community Association.
I’m interested in consulting on social and environment good projects, change management and innovation.
Keen to chat? Get in touch!