About us

Before becoming Executive Director of Maxim, Tim was an award-winning journalist working in print, radio and television. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian and Newsweek.com. He was TVNZ’s first US Correspondent and has been a business development manager and an English teacher. Tim has written three novels, one of which—Their Faces Were Shining—was a finalist in the New Zealand Post Book Awards. He is married to Rachel; they have four sons: Roman, Felix, Wilfred, and Otto.

Paul’s background is education. He taught for twelve years, working for departments of education in Europe, Africa, and Asia. He has written education policy and designed and tested tertiary sector and national curricula. Working from DPMC, under John Key, he was secretary to a cross-party committee tasked to review school choice and educational reform. Paul is an award-winning teacher and former national debating coach. He has authored five books. He holds degrees from Aberdeen, Cambridge, and Laidlaw college, and a PhD from Australian Catholic University. His research focuses on human and artificial intelligence. Paul has a long association with the Institute which goes back to its origins as the New Zealand Education Development Foundation. Paul is married and has three daughters.

Maryanne Spurdle holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Auckland, a BA in Communications from California State University at Fullerton, and is a World Journalism Institute Fellow. She held a variety of positions before joining Maxim Institute in 2023, writing, editing and designing material for mainstream media and non-profit organisations. One of Maryanne’s early roles was at a charity that supports vulnerable and homeless adults in the north of England. That experience informed and fuelled her desire to discover and communicate the best ways that families, communities, and governments can encourage human flourishing in a complex world.

Stephanie joined Maxim Institute in 2024. She holds a PhD in Public Policy from Victoria University of Wellington and a BA in Philosophy from Bethel University of St Paul, MN. Before moving to New Zealand, Stephanie worked with marginalised and homeless youth in the US. She has experience in the banking sector, church leadership, and missions. Stephanie is interested in film, theology, and op-shopping. She is a regular runner and enjoys getting outdoors. Her research interests include moral and political philosophy, the criminal justice system, restorative justice, and mental health and loneliness. Stephanie is married to Greg, a local Anglican minister, missionary, and all-around nice guy.

Thomas Scrimgeour joined the Maxim research team in 2024. He holds a BTh from Laidlaw College and is a graduate of the Maxim Internship Program. Before settling for a desk job, Thomas worked for five years as a landscaper, alongside prior experience working in the community sector. Thomas’ research interests include housing, social connectivity, and the future of community.

Vanessa recently joined Maxim as our Operations Manager. She brings a strong drive to get things done and a deep commitment to people. Her diverse career spans South Africa and New Zealand and includes preschool teaching, administration, IT, hospitality, and work in the travel and manufacturing industries. She moved to New Zealand in 2005 and has focused on the not-for-profit sector since 2020. A proud mother of four adult children, Vanessa enjoys upcycling and restoring furniture in her spare time.

Sarah has been with the Maxim team for 5 years, and in her current part-time role, she oversees the daily operational tasks and events. With a strong focus on logistics and operations, Sarah excels at ensuring every detail is meticulously handled. Her expertise and attention to detail ensure that events run smoothly from concept to completion, providing a seamless experience for all involved.

Josiah Brown has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Communication. Leveraging his background in communication and marketing, he currently serves as the Communications Strategist at Maxim. Josiah is interested in the intersection of faith, politics, and popular culture. He lives in West Auckland with his wife, Susannah.

Louise is passionate about connecting with people who are committed to shaping New Zealand’s future. With a background spanning business, media, advocacy, and the not-for-profit sector, she brings deep experience to her role. Louise is particularly interested in how faith, policy, and community intersect to build a more compassionate and hopeful society. Her work focuses on strengthening relationships and networks that inspire action and meaningful change.

Hamish Dobbie (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahine) came to Maxim near the beginning of 2022 to support them in developing their treaty partnership practice. He holds degrees from both Victoria University of Wellington and Otago University. He is currently finishing his fifth year of full immersion te reo Māori study at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. He currently serves as an Anglican minister in Lower Hutt, Wellington. He is involved in a wide variety of projects, including building treaty partnerships with various organisations and developing media content in te reo Māori.

Marcus has a background in the law, both in practice and academia. After practising in tax and insolvency litigation, he studied for his LLM at the University of Auckland and stayed on at that institution for a number of years, teaching in a variety of core law courses. His research interests include New Zealand’s broader constitutional framework, demographic change and New Zealand’s place in a rapidly changing Pacific and wider world.

Natasha and her young family moved from the remote Ikuntji community in Haasts Bluff, NT, to join Maxim Institute in 2022. She comes from a background in anthropology, with six years of experience in the not-for-profit sector in East Africa and several years working in training for political engagement in Australia. She and her husband, David, design engineering solutions for low-resourced communities. She holds degrees in International Studies, Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development, and Anthropology, Art and Human Perception. She is currently completing a PhD at the University of Notre Dame, Australia.

Alex is Strategy Partner at Resonance Consulting; before that, he was CEO of Maxim Institute from 2013-2020. He started as a researcher upon returning to New Zealand after his Master of Laws at Cambridge University. He became Policy and Research Director for several years before taking up the organisation’s leadership.

Warren Brookbanks is a Professor of Criminal Law and Justice Studies, and Director of the Centre for Non-Adversarial Justice at AUT Law School. He is co-author or editor of a number of books on law and mental health, forensic psychiatry and law, unfitness to stand trial, criminal justice and therapeutic jurisprudence. As well as his teaching and academic responsibilities, he is involved in professional consultation and has been a regular presenter at professional conferences and seminars. He was a founding Trustee of the Odyssey House Trust (NZ), a former President of the Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Law (ANZAPPL) and former chair of the Oakley Mental Health Foundation Trust Board.

Dr Jonathan Cole has a PhD in political theology from CSU, an MA in Islamic theology and Middle Eastern politics from the Australian National University and a BA Hons in Modern Greek language and history from La Trobe University. He is currently Assistant Director of Research at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture at Charles Sturt University, Canberra, Australia, and host of “The Political Animals Podcast.”

Campbell has over twenty years’ experience in business and leadership. Currently the owner and Managing Director of Spiraweld, an Auckland manufacturing company his previous roles include managing directorships of several New Zealand retail and importing businesses. With long experience in finance roles for non-profit organisations, Campbell is also involved with a number of community groups in a voluntary capacity.

Roseanne is a chartered accountant, with strong HR and management experience. She served as Chair of the Board of Trustees at a low decile school for over ten years, and saw the difference an excellent education can make in people’s lives. Roseanne works in her family business in the construction sector, serves in various volunteer roles, and offers many years of governance experience in the not-for-profit sector.

Roshan is National Principal and CEO of Laidlaw College, and has a background in non-profit leadership. An historian with degrees from Canterbury and Oxford, his doctoral research focused on social reform and philanthropy in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Roshan has a longstanding involvement in Maxim Institute, beginning with a summer internship in 2002-03.

Kate is an experienced commercial litigator and Crown prosecutor providing a range of advocacy and advisory services. She completed a summer internship at Maxim Institute in 2008-2009. She also sits on the Board of another not-for-profit.

Scott has wide experience in leadership roles in financial markets regulation, and across local and central government. He has managed a review of retirement income policies and previously managed government relations for a major bank. Scott began his career working in Parliament as a researcher along with providing policy and communication advice. In 2001, Scott was one of Maxim’s founding staff members.

John is a seasoned executive with an extensive leadership record. He combines global experience in consumer businesses with a range of not-for-profit leadership roles. John was a Founding Trustee of Maxim (in 2001) and served as Chair from 2006 – 2013. He returned to the Board in August 2021. He is currently Executive Chair of Tahua Partners Ltd (a NZ retail and hospitality group). John is active in the charitable sector with organisations he is passionate about. These organisations are focused on supporting the growth of future leaders, and positive engagement in—and contributing to the development of—the culture of Aotearoa New Zealand.