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 also been a business development manager and an English teacher. Tim has written three novels, one of which, Their Faces Were Shining, and was a finalist in the New Zealand Post Book Awards. He is married to Rachel; they have four sons: Roman, Felix, Wilfred, and Otto.

Kieran Madden is Maxim Institute’s Director of Research and Development, leading and guiding our research programme. With a Master’s in Public Policy from the Crawford School of Economics and Government at ANU, Kieran has considered a broad range of social policy issues, primarily focused on understanding and developing effective policies to reduce poverty in New Zealand. Most recently, Kieran has been exploring the potential for character skills—things like perseverance, motivation, and self-control—to navigate the future of work in New Zealand. Kieran is also currently delving into the problem of loneliness and social isolation, a growing concern in these uncertain times.

Joining the Maxim Institute research team in 2021, ‘Alapasita holds a Bachelor of Physical Education (Hons) and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Otago. Her work includes leading research on factors that shape the academic success of Pacific students, as well as community research on Pacific youth, debt and family violence prevention. Currently working on research around poverty and predatory lending, ‘Alapasita is examining the implications of new credit law changes on third-tier lenders to vulnerable groups at risk of predatory lending.

Marcus Roberts joined the Maxim Institute as a Senior Researcher in 2022. 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.

Geoff joins Maxim following some 6 years in the not-for-profit sector. This included roles at Christians Against Poverty in project and line management positions.
Prior to NFP he had an extended career with Nestlé in production and supply chain management both in NZ and overseas.
Geoff enjoys cycling, whether via the daily commute or off-road mountain biking. He also has a keen interest in faith-based reading.

Hayley joined the Maxim team in 2022 after several years of raising her young family full-time and working as a freelance Graphic Designer. She has a varied professional background in design, administration, marketing, business development, and events. Hayley holds a B.A. from Auckland University in English and philosophy—two areas of study in which she still has a keen interest. Hayley also has a passion for writing; and a growing enjoyment of reading and writing poetry (to her great surprise).

Joining Maxim Institute in 2021, Jason is passionate about the work of Maxim. He loves connecting our message and work with a wider audience. He comes to us with over 20 years of experience in the community and not-for-profit sector.

Sisilia joined the Maxim Institute team in 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Information Science. Sisilia arrives at Maxim after several years of working in tax at KPMG. She enjoys playing tennis, having game nights with friends, and spending time with family.

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.

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.

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.

Lindsay is a communications specialist, with experience in government relations, public policy, strategic communications and stakeholder management. As an independent consultant she works for councils, development agencies and start-ups proving strategic advice and stakeholder management. She is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand with an LLB from Otago University. Her previous roles include working in public policy in Washington DC, and six years in government relations for the Bank of New Zealand.

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.

Rev. Te Karere Scarborough (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hauā) has a background in community programme development and education. This includes longstanding senior leadership positions within Parenting Place, and as the founding CEO of the kaupapa Māori trust Oati. He is an appointed trustee for his hapū board, Whatitiri Māori Reserves Trust, and is a former board member of Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri and Zeal. More recently, he has specialised in cultural navigation for tauiwi organisations who want to engage in faithful and genuine relationship with Māori communities.