Introducing Diana Johnston: Our new Christchurch-based Eco Church Coordinator

We’re excited to welcome Diana Johnston to the Eco Church team as our new Christchurch-based Regional Coordinator!

Diana brings a rich background in outdoor education, environmental leadership, and early childhood teaching to the role. Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, she lives with her husband Mark and their two children and is deeply passionate about helping people connect more deeply with God’s creation.

Diana’s journey began with a dual qualification in outdoor instruction and biblical studies, through a partnership programme with Adventure Specialties Trust and Bible College of New Zealand. After spending three years as an outdoor instructor with Adventure Specialties, she moved to Christchurch and took on the role of South Island Camps Facilitator with Scripture Union.

Her love for nature-based learning and education continued to grow, eventually leading her to study early childhood education at the University of Canterbury. Diana went on to work with Bush Farm Education in Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour - an innovative forest school where she helped tamariki aged 3–13 build emotional literacy, nature connection, and environmental awareness.

In recognition of her work, Diana received the New Zealand Outdoor Instructor Association’s Wahine Toa Award in 2022 for her leadership, commitment to te taiao, and contribution to sustainability and te ao Māori in the outdoor sector.

But it’s not just her professional experience that makes Diana such a perfect fit for this role. For the past eight years, she’s also been on the frontlines of creation care within her own faith community at South West Baptist Church. Having co-facilitated their Eco Church journey for the last five to six years, Diana has seen firsthand how intentional action can deepen community connection, grow understanding, and transform a church’s impact on the world around them.

In her new role, Diana will be focusing particularly on churches based in the Christchurch region - supporting, encouraging, and equipping them as they explore what it means to care for creation as part of their discipleship and mission.