Steve moved to New Zealand in 2004 with partner Kay and his three children, following a desire for a new life experience and better opportunities for the whole family.
The constant theme of his career has been working with a diverse group of people and communities which has included people that are homeless, people experiencing challenges relating to drugs / alcohol / mental health / family violence, youth leaving care, former refugees and Gypsies and Travellers.
Since 2004 Steve has worked for Barnardos, Wellington City Council, Housing New Zealand, The Soup Kitchen, Porirua City Council, and currently Kapiti Coast District Council.
Steve has also worked as a Civil Defence Welfare Manager during the recent COVID-19 pandemic and during the Kaikoura and Christchurch earthquakes.
During his career he has had the privilege of meeting amazing people and sharing their stories and life experience. Since learning about Māori culture, the phrase ‘He Tangata, He Tangata, He Tangata’ strongly reflects the way he has always worked and felt.
Some of the work Steve is most proud of is the role he played Te Mahana (Wellington Cities Homeless Strategy) while working for Wellington City Council; the role he played as part of a small team at Porirua City Council that led to the current Government’s investment in the regeneration of Eastern Porirua and the need for this to be strongly community led; And the changes to Porirua City Council’s community grants that are now focused on Children and Young people – their voices now directly influencing the decisions on which project to fund.
In his spare time, Steve enjoys riding his classic Kawasaki motorcycle, playing squash, walking his Rottweilers Teddy and Bruno, and listening to an eclectic range of music.