Welcome Christine Johnston – Grey Lynn BID Manager

The Grey Lynn Business Association is welcoming a new manager with a clear focus on one thing: helping local businesses and the Grey Lynn community  thrive. Christine Johnston is just a few days into her role, taking over from interim manager Michael Richardson who’s moving on to other projects.

Christine brings a broad mix of commercial, advocacy and not-for-profit experience to the role, most recently working with Business New Zealand and its shareholders including the Employers and Manufacturers Association . There, she supported organisations ranging from small owner-operators through to major corporates, working across advocacy, shared services and government engagement.

A consistent thread throughout her career has been a strong interest in business sustainability, not just environmental, but financial and operational as well.

“I’ve always been motivated by seeing businesses do well,” Christine says. “Whether that’s through better systems, stronger connections, or giving people confidence about the future.”

That philosophy is what drew her to Grey Lynn. She sees the association as a practical, local extension of the work she’s done nationally – supporting businesses at street level, where challenges and opportunities are most immediate.

In her first weeks, Christine says her priority will be meeting local business people and listening. Building relationships with members, understanding what’s working and what’s not, and making sure people know who she is and how to reach her.

Away from work, Christine is an early riser and a committed daily walker, time she uses to think, plan and reset. With an early career background in interior design, she also brings a strong appreciation for place, aesthetics and the small details that shape how communities feel.

Excited about the opportunities becoming a BID brings to GLBA, Christine foresees a busy and productive year ahead.