Stephen was a founding member of the Eastern Bays Hospice Foundation Trust. He is passionately dedicated to Eastern Bays Hospice, having been a board member since 1996 and served six years as immediate past Chairman. He has an active interest in the Bay's community. He is a JP and has been a member of the Rotary Club of Auckland East Inc, for 28 years, having served a term as president.

Stephen is retired. He worked for 45 years in a family business with shipping and waterfront interests, during which time he served as a director and chairman of companies in the group, and associated employment and management organisations working with the Governments of the day on Port Reform, Privatisation of Harbour Boards and the Employment Contracts Act. During that time he was a founding director of the Ports of Auckland.

Stephen is married to Joan, who has been involved as a volunteer at Eastern Bays Hospice. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren. He keeps active with family involvement, gym routines, cycling, tramping, below average golf, travel (particularly adventure tours), politics, architecture, motor racing, music and an involvememnt in other charitable trusts.