Kirsty Johnston is an investigative journalist with an interest in inequality, gender and social justice.

Her work has helped to change lives, such as the banning of seclusion rooms in primary schools, and the repeal of a law that discriminated against family carers for the disabled. She began her career at the Taranaki Daily News, and has worked at Stuff, the Sunday Star-Times and the New Zealand Herald. Kirsty has made two documentaries. She was awarded Best Investigation at the national media awards in 2014, and more recently was voted Best Crime and Social Issues reporter in 2019.