Dr Michelle Johansson

2022 Cohort

Pronouns: she/her

Through storytelling, Michelle is working with agents of change in South Auckland to activate Indigenous knowledges and to grow future leaders to serve, lead and rise with their communities.

Michelle is a Tongan mother, theatre-maker and educator. She serves as Kaitiaki at Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ, growing exceptional people to teach in low-decile schools. Michelle has had a long career in education, as a secondary school teacher; a lecturer in Pacific Studies, English, Drama and Education at the University of Auckland; and as Head of Performing Arts at Manukau Institute of Technology.

Michelle is an active researcher, committed to social justice and serves as Kaiwhakahaere at Centre for Social Justice and Education and Creative Director of the Black Friars. South Auckland, decile-one born and bred, she is proud to work alongside amazing teachers, warriors, storytellers and change-makers to re-story Pasifika in the largest Polynesian city in the world, to activate indigenous knowledges, to grow future leaders and to hold courageous spaces for our young people to walk tall in all of their worlds.

“I am working towards an Aotearoa where Pasifika young people can walk tall in all of their worlds.”

Social change work

Michelle is committed to re-storying South Auckland with her community. She is working with Māia Centre for Social Justice and Education on a project called 'Brave' which involves storytelling, research, performance and activism.