 Johnson studied at the University of Canterbury and the Christchurch College of Education, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in electrical, electronics and communications engineering in 1998, a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Secondary) in 1999, and a Master of Engineering in 2004.He has been awarded University of Canterbury and New Zealand Universities Blues for wheelchair rugby.In the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours, Johnson was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to disability sport.