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About Us > Our People > Dr Michael Johnston

Dr Michael Johnston

Senior Fellow

Michael is a Senior Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative. He leads the Initiative’s work on education. He is a cognitive psychologist with a background in literacy research, educational assessment and psychometrics.

Prior to his time at the Initiative, he was the Associate Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Education at Victoria University of Wellington. Between 2005 and 2011, he worked at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), where he developed a new, more reliable, marking system for NCEA examinations. In 2024, Michael chaired a Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for Education Minister Erica Stanford. The MAG advised on the development of a knowledge-rich curriculum for English and mathematics. Following that work, Michael is currently a member of the Curriculum Coherence group, which advises on the development of knowledge-rich curricula across all school subjects. Michael is also a member of a technical advisory group to NZQA on assessment for NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship.

In his time at The New Zealand Initiative, Michael has published reports on Modern Learning Environments, systems reform in education,  teacher education, the use of AI in education, and pathways for industry training and apprenticeships.

Phone: 044990790

Email: michael.johnston@nzinitiative.org.nz

Recent Work

Media Release: A majority of staff at NZ universities revealed to be non-academics

Wellington (Monday, 19 June 2023) – The New Zealand Initiative has revealed that Victoria and Otago Universities employ more non-academic than academic staff, a situation prevalent in all New Zealand universities for the past decade. The findings, prepared by Drs. Read more

Dr Michael Johnston

044990790

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Dr James Kierstead

04 499 0790

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Dr Dennis Wesselbaum
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Media Release
19 June, 2023

Media Release: New report reveals solutions for transforming New Zealand’s education system

Wellington (Thursday, 27 April 2023) – A comprehensive report authored by Dr Michael Johnston offers a detailed analysis of the current challenges facing New Zealand’s educational infrastructure. Save our Schools: Solutions for New Zealand’s education crisis outlines a series of innovative proposals for reforming and revitalising New Zealand's education system, including curriculum, assessment and qualification systems, initial teacher education, teacher career structure, teacher supply, systems monitoring, and information provision to parents. Read more

Dr Michael Johnston

044990790

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Media Release
27 April, 2023

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