Steve Francis
“I want to contribute my experience, both financial and from within the community, to support all those within Taranaki to thrive.”
Ko Tangata te Tiriti ahau, ko Ingarangi te whakapaparanga mai
Ko Taranaki te maunga nānā au whakaruruhau
I whānau mai ahau i Arakamu / Eltham, ko Arakamu me Ngāmotu ngā whenua tipu,
Ko te awa Wairau te matapuna o te ora
I noho ahau ki Paratiamu / Belgium , kei Ngāmotu ahau e noho ana
Ko Sigrid tāku hoa wahine, toku toru ā māua tamariki
E ako ana au te reo Māori i Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Ko Kōia kaimahi ahau
Ko Steve Francis tōku ingoa
Photo by Geoff McKay (flickr)
Financial stewardship
Guiding resources wisely for lasting impact.
Financial Leadership
Being the Financial Director for a 400+ employee corporate, and other financial management positions, I’ve refined the ability to identify things that don’t stack up financially (something we require more in the current council composition).
Attention to Detail
As the Board Audit Chair of an international NGO for seven years, I was required to consider the long-term impacts of decisions on organisational objectives, values & staffing, and be attentive to ensuring decisions were made based on facts.
Communication of Concepts
In all my professional & community roles, I have presented to the public or professional groups, & worked to facilitate community connections & promote the objectives of those groups & our communities.
Community heart
Putting people & place at the centre.
Social Well-being & Connection
Project Manager for Kōia - mana kai, mana tangata, a social prescribing support service uses the mana of our health professionals to encourage people to participate in community gardens for their wellbeing (physical, mental, social and spiritual). I work between health professionals, community gardens and other community development organisations to ensure that this new project grows from strength to strength.
The Natural Environment
I’m a volunteer trapper for Kaitake Ranges Conservation Trust.
I’m a community member on NPDC’s Sustainability Working Party, where I’ve made proposals around localised organic waste management, improving biodiversity, and addressing issues of both climate mitigation & adaptation.
Matauranga Māori
Akonga/student at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, learning te reo Māori (L4) and an appreciation for tikanga and the importance of Ti Tiriti o Aotearoa.
Future focused
Acting today for tomorrow’s generations.
Leadership & Scope
General Manager of Sustainable Taranaki working with the team to expand the depth and breadth of local sustainability projects – we created the Te Ara Taiao (connecting hapū, kura & community groups) and the launch of The Junction Zero Waste Hub with NPDC & WISE Charitable Trust to give more options for people to upcycle and reuse “waste”.
Community Energy
Co-founder of Community Energy Taranaki (CET) so people wanting to improve their sustainability & household budget can learn from and share challenges with a community. I was also co-founder of two citizen-owned renewable energy cooperatives in Belgium, which continue to flourish today (1 & 2).
Personal Commitment
Dedication to NPDC’s Sustainability Working Party, as well as several community development initiatives such as renewable energy, kai resilience, health, para kore / zero waste, etc. As a whānau, we drive electric, on solar, share kai with foodbanks, & buy local.
