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Dr Michael Johnston

Senior Fellow

Dr Michael Johnston is a Senior Fellow at the New Zealand Initiative. He leads the workstream on education.

Prior to his time at the Initiative, Dr Johnston held academic positions at Victoria University of Wellington from 2011-2022. From 2020 until 2022 he was the Associate Dean (Academic) in the University’s Faculty of Education.

Prior to his time at Victoria, Dr Johnston was the Senior Statistician at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, a position he held for 6 years. Before that, he was a lecturer in psychology at the University Melbourne and a Research Fellow at Latrobe University.

Dr Johnston holds a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Melbourne.

Phone: 044990790

Email: michael.johnston@nzinitiative.org.nz

Recent Work

Podcast: Issues With Teacher Training

Dr. Michael Johnston is joined by Adjunct Fellow Stephanie Martin and Dr. Kevin Knight, founder and owner of the New Zealand Graduate School of Education in Christchurch, for a discussion about the issues currently facing the training of our teachers. The New Zealand Initiative · EPS. Read more

Dr Michael Johnston
Dr Kevin Knight
14 September, 2023
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Podcast: Prescription for Prosperity

Join Dr. Oliver Hartwich and Dr. Michael Johnston for a discussion about the key points from The New Zealand Initiative's recent publication, Prescription for Prosperity. The report, which gives policy recommendations for the incoming government after the election, is the culmination of over a decade of research. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Dr Michael Johnston
25 August, 2023
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Prescription For Prosperity: 2023 Briefing to the Incoming Government

As the nation prepares to vote on 14 October, the sentiment across New Zealand is one of frustration and concern. Skyrocketing living costs, unaffordable housing, strained healthcare, and a growing educational gap are the voices of a country looking for change. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Dr Eric Crampton
Roger Partridge
Dr Bryce Wilkinson
Dr Michael Johnston
Dr Matthew Birchall
Briar Lipson
Emeritus Professor Des Gorman
Dr Murray Horn
Research Report
24 August, 2023

Media release: New Zealand universities in staffing crisis - Latest report reveals troubling trends

Wellington (Tuesday, 1 August 2023) – The New Zealand Initiative’s report Blessing or Bloat? Non-Academic Staffing in New Zealand Universities in Comparative Perspective, co-authored by Drs James Kierstead and Michael Johnston shows that a majority of staff at New Zealand universities are non-academics. Read more

Dr Michael Johnston
Dr James Kierstead
Media Release
1 August, 2023
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Blessing or Bloat? Non-Academic Staffing in New Zealand Universities in Comparative Perspective

‘Administrative bloat’ – the idea that universities have too many administrators – is hot topic in debates around higher education in the US and elsewhere. Is there a similar problem in New Zealand universities? Read more

Dr Michael Johnston
Dr James Kierstead
Research Report
1 August, 2023

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