Christopher Hawker
Nominee details
- Title
- Mr.
- Name
- Christopher Hawker
- Position
- Board Member
- Organization
- Internet Australia
Biographical info
- Education/qualifications
-
- Postgraduate degree in Information Technology
- 11 years' experience in building, managing and maintaining corporate and smaller carrier networks
- Experience and involvement in APNIC activities
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Over the past four years, I have been deeply engaged in APNIC's Policy Development Process, both as a proposal author of Prop-156, Prop-164 and Prop-168, and as an active participant in broader community discussion and debate. Through this sustained involvement, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the policy development framework, its procedural nuances, and its practical implications for the operation of the region's Internet number resource system.
I was selected by the APNIC Foundation to attend IETF 119 in Brisbane as an Internet Standards Ambassador, an experience that broadened my perspective on the relationship between Internet standards development and Regional Internet Registry policy. I was subsequently selected to participate as a Fellow in APNIC's Policy Fellowship Pilot Program, a role that has further deepened my engagement with the policy community and provided valuable insight into the mentorship and capacity-building work that underpins its long-term sustainability.
More recently, I initiated the review of the SIG Guidelines, the document governing how Special Interest Groups within the APNIC community are structured and operate. First implemented in 2016 and subsequently reviewed in 2021 with a minor update in 2023, the Guidelines were due for a comprehensive reassessment to ensure they continue to reflect the community's evolving needs and best practice in multi-stakeholder governance.
Since APNIC 56, I have attended every conference in a personal capacity, consistently advocating for and supporting policy development initiatives that strengthen the Regional Internet Registry system and the broader Internet community. This sustained commitment reflects my belief that effective policy development depends on active, informed, and continuous community participation, and it is this belief that I would bring to the role of Policy SIG Co-Chair.
Nominee statement
It is an honour to be nominated for the role of Policy SIG Co-Chair within the APNIC community.
I have worked in the information technology industry for over a decade, with experience spanning small-scale home networks through to carrier-grade data centre systems supporting internet access and critical services for end users. I currently serve as IT Manager for a national company and as a board member of Internet Australia, the Australian chapter of the Internet Society.
I am confident that my technical expertise, together with my understanding of policy development and community engagement, equips me to serve effectively in this role. These attributes will enable me to remain objective and impartial in supporting the community's adherence to the Policy Development Process.
As Co-Chair, my objective would be to foster and promote inclusive policy development by encouraging and empowering members of the community to participate in shaping the policies that directly affect their resource usage and membership. I am committed to ensuring that all voices are heard equitably, and that the Policy Development Process is upheld with the highest degree of integrity.
Nominated by
- Full Name
- Aftab Siddiqui
- Reason for nomination
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I am pleased to nominate Christopher Hawker for the position of Policy SIG Co-Chair. Since joining the PDP in mid-2023, Christopher has distinguished himself not merely as a participant, but as a catalyst for practical change. He worked really hard on the review of complex by-law reforms ahead of APNIC 56 and not only that he identified a critical gap in operational policy, leading him to author prop-156: Assignment of Temporary IP Resources and later on prop-164 and prop-168
Christopher’s contributions extend far beyond handful of these proposals. He actively bridges the gap between technical governance and community reality, demonstrated by his roles as an APNIC Foundation Internet Standards Ambassador at IETF119 and as a board member of Internet Australia. He has used his experience to democratise the PDP, translating dense policy language into clear, actionable insights that empower other community members to have a better and informed opinion.
With a rare combination of operational experience, governance acumen, and a collaborative spirit, Christopher has already proven he can strengthen both the inclusivity and the effectiveness of our policy-making. I am confident he will bring the same energy and clarity to the Co-Chair role, and I strongly endorse his nomination.