Johan Chang
Born in Taiwan and raised in Birkenhead, Johan Chang has been calling Auckland home since 1995.
After returning from his Asia OE in 2012, Johan completed a PgDip in Journalism at AUT and dove headfirst into the world of technology and business journalism. His work exposed him to a wide-ranging spectrum of ideas from across the business and tech sectors, allowing him to see how innovation and the classic no.8-wire mentality held by Kiwis can benefit the people of Aotearoa and drive business success.
Inspired by journalist colleagues that covered society and politics, Johan went back into academia to complete a Masters of Conflict and Terrorism Studies in 2020. A greater understanding of how politics is at the heart of everything we deal with – from the water we drink, the food we eat, to our ability to enjoy our environment – is what drove him to join the Opportunity Party as the electoral candidate for Auckland Central.
He loves nature and appreciates the extraordinary biodiversity in New Zealand, most of which are found nowhere else in the world. He’s passionate about the importance of democracy and greater civics education, and more importantly, the need for a stronger focus on long-term outcomes that’s about respecting human dignity rather than just business efficiency. Johan believes in supporting our young people to achieve their very best, like no one ever was. Shaping a solarpunk future through better legislation is society’s true test, and creating a better tomorrow for all Kiwis should be our cause.
Having always thought he’d rather disappear into the background as a worker ant to support the collective, Johan sees the current political landscape as untenable for the future of Aotearoa. The focus on three-year election cycles, imported populist politics, and hyper-focus on austerity economics, means degradation in infrastructure, public service, and the local communities he has come to love and call home. He believes politics should be, first and foremost, about service to the people, putting integrity, practical solutions, and open transparency at the heart of decision-making.
In his spare time, Johan can be found at the local bouldering gym, telling fantastical stories as the dungeon master at a D&D table, or enjoying a double IPA at his local watering hole.
