Our team
Co-Directors
Alex Johnston
Co-Director, Campaign Organiser (Climate)
Alex (Pākehā, Scottish/Irish whakapapa), together with Kate, founded Common Grace Aotearoa in 2023 with a shared dream to see the church step into its calling as a partner in God’s renewal and restoration in this land. He is a climate campaigner by background, cutting his teeth in student activism and fossil fuel divestment campaigns before working with Oxfam Aotearoa leading campaigns on climate change, overseas aid, vaccine equity, and refugee rights. Alongside movement building and advocacy, he is passionate about community and wholehearted discipleship at his local Anglican church, and growing organic food. He currently lives in Whanganui on the lands of Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi with his wife Genevieve, and their daughter.
Kate Day
Co-Director, Campaign Organiser (Economic Justice)
(On maternity leave until December 2025)
Kate (Pākehā, English/Scottish whakapapa) co-founded Common Grace Aotearoa with Alex in 2023, excited about the potential of forming a generation of Christian leaders with a commitment to justice, advocacy and faith-driven action. Prior to Common Grace Aotearoa, she was the Advocacy Enabler in the Anglican Diocese of Wellington, mobilising hundreds of Anglicans to advocate in campaigns on climate change, overseas aid, and housing, and previously worked with Anglican Advocacy Christchurch. Over the years she has been involved in a variety of successful campaigns and discipleship programmes. She lives in Wellington with her husband John-Luke and their three children, and worships at St Thomas’ Anglican Church, Newtown.
Staff
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Tech Manager and Māori Wards Organiser
Esmé (Pākehā, Scottish whakapapa) is a software developer and organiser passionate about enabling small teams to do great work. She works part time as an app developer alongside being involved in a number of justice-oriented organisations such as Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine. She is passionate about problem solving, community and building tools that help facilitate change. She lives with her wife Aleisha and pet fish on the Kāpiti coast.
"I am excited to be joining the Māori wards campaign as I believe all justice issues in Aotearoa share a common first step - amplifying and listening to the voice of Māori. This campaign gives and extremely tangible way to do this work and make change that will benefit all."
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Discipleship Co-ordinator
Melody is of Scottish (3rd generation), English (2nd generation) descent, and has been part of the Common Grace Aotearoa team since 2024, organising our National Gathering, and now is coordinating an online discipleship programme for volunteers and members of our campaign teams. Alongside this she works for Karuwhā Trust and is a Kaitiaki of Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine. She has a Diploma in Christian Ministries, a Bachelor of Arts (Conflict Resolution & International Studies) & a Post Graduate Diploma in Development. Melody is committed to the life long journey of learning & outworking what it looks like to be a faithful follower of Jesus - and seeing that being outworked in various ways, including how to be a faithful Tāngata Tiriti partner, and an active global citizen in the ways that are afforded to her. She lives in the rohe of Tāmaki Makaurau.
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Communications Manager
(Pākehā, English whakapapa)
Dave Cross brings a love for words, people, and purpose to his role as Communications Lead at Common Grace Aotearoa. With a background in writing, digital media, and grassroots organising, Dave is passionate about using storytelling and technology to amplify voices that are often unheard and to help shape a more just and compassionate Aotearoa.
Rooted in his Christian faith, Dave is especially drawn to the transformational message of Jesus—one that disrupts power, heals what is broken, and calls people to live with courage and grace, particularly in the overlooked or uncomfortable places of society.
Dave lives with his whānau in Berhampore, Wellington. He’s often found running the local hills or cheering from the sidelines of his kids’ sports games. Whether in a campaign strategy meeting or crafting an email to supporters, Dave brings a strong sense of integrity to all he does.
Climate Team
The volunteers behind www.endfreecredits.nz
Te Tiriti Justice Teams
We currently have two volunteers teams organising our movement in the area of Te Tiriti justice. One in Pōneke Wellington and one in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Board of Trustees
Matt Crawshaw (Chair)
Matt (Pākehā) and his wife Chrissie live in Cannons Creek, Porirua with their five children. Matt works with Bishop’s Community Development Trust. His passion is to see people across communities and the church living out their faith through tangible expressions of social, economic or environmental action that impact and transform our communities for the better. He has significant experience leading change within the community sector both at a neighbourhood level and in roles with Wesley Community Action and the Salvation Army before his current role. Matt holds governance roles across a range of small not for profit and community sector organisations around the lower North Island.
Reverend Wendy Scott
Ko Manaia toku maunga, Ko Pukekauri toku awa, Ko Patuharakeke toku iwi, Ko Wendy Scott toku ingoa.
I am an Anglican priest in the Diocese of Wellington and hold two paid roles. One overseeing the special character in our Anglican schools in the Wairarapa and the second as priest in charge of St Matthew's Masterton. I have a passion for God's justice and long to see young people from across our churches engage in meaningful ways to see God's kingdom come. I live in Pahiatua with my husband and our two foster children. Together we care for our five children and our mokopuna.
Reverend Dr Rangi Nicholson
Reverend Dr Rangi Nicholson (Ngāti Raukawa ki Te Au o Te Tonga, Ngāti Toarangatira, Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne, Ngāti Kuia and Ngāti Pāhauwera) is a clergyperson and a contextual theologian in the Māori Anglican Church - Te Hāhi Mihinare. He is also a sociolinguist who has spent over fifty years working in the area of Māori language revitalisation. He has taught at four universities and worked with many tribal, church and government organisations on Māori language planning and policy issues. His current theology research interests include justice and peace regarding Te Tiriti of Waitangi, Māori language and climate change.
Mary Hutchinson
I live in Te Whanganui-a-Tara with my husband and we have two grown daughters living overseas. Faith, and a love of taiao has been part of me since early childhood, with exploring our garden in Ōtautahi Christchurch, and during holidays near Rakahuri/Ashley River in North Canterbury. I worked as a GP until the 2010s and since then have become a photographer and mixed media artist, along with helping in community native restoration projects. Also I work 1 day a week at Massey University Wellington as a lay ecumenical chaplain, where I aim to support students to be inspired by knowing Jesus, and to take action in the climate and social justice spheres.
