Alexia Hilbertidou
Described by the NZ Herald as the Headmistress of Gen Z, Alexia Hilbertidou is the founder of GirlBoss NZ - New Zealand’s largest organisation for young women. Founded when Alexia was just 16, GirlBoss now has 17 and a half thousand members.
Alexia’s mission is to get women to the table - the boardroom table that is, and she believes the decisions made while young are crucial in paving the way.
Alexia has received over 30 awards for her work, including being named Pacific Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Finalist for 2025 Young New Zealander of the Year, the Most Influential NZ Woman under 25 at the Westpac Women of Influence Award, Forbes 30 under 30, a National Geographic Explorer, and Finalist for World Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Alexia was also awarded a Queen's Young Leader Award for Services to the Commonwealth by Her Majesty, The Queen, at Buckingham Palace. She was selected from over 20,000 nominations and is the youngest Commonwealth Citizen to hold this honour.
| LOCATION: | Fiji | AREA OF STUDY: | Fijian cicada |
| NATIONALITY: | New Zealand | SPONSOR: | |
| FILMMAKER: | Noa Moko |
| START DATE: | 27th August |
| END DATE: | 2nd September |
| LOCATION: | Fiji |
| END POINT: | New Zealand |
| AREA OF STUDY: | Fijian cicada |
| SPONSOR: | |
| FILMMAKER: | Noa Moko |
Area of Study: Fijian cicada
My research project is in collaboration with NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, Fiji’s only domestic NGO dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of the country’s unique natural heritage. Our focus is on promoting and protecting the Nanai (Fijian cicada), a species of cultural and ecological significance, particularly to the Cabeta of the Burenitu clan and the Lewatunibovitu of the Noimalu clan in the hills of Viti Levu. The Nanai is so valued that it is featured on Fiji’s $100 note, yet its conservation status remains undetermined due to a lack of research and data on Fiji’s endemic insects.
By working alongside conservationists from NatureFiji I aim to fill this knowledge gap through comprehensive study and urgent conservation efforts to ensure the Nanai’s survival before it disappears from Fiji forever.
Led the “Year of the Nanai” campaign as the public face in film, TV, and major outlets like Fiji Times and Fiji News, amplifying the importance of protecting Fiji’s biodiversity.
I presented my findings at the IUCN Oceania Regional Conservation Forum 2024 in Fiji and at The University of the South Pacific, raising awareness of the importance of protecting Fiji’s unique biodiversity.
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