Experience. Passion. Commitment.

Stephen Parry has packed a lot into life. Being the fourth child in a family of ten children, resilience and independence were ingrained in his formative years.

Attending St Patricks College, Silverstream he was both sprints and distance champion, holding Wellington regional titles. He also played in the first fifteen and represented Wellington in age grade rugby. But a burgeoning interest as a drummer and songwriter soon won over and he left college after year 12, in a quest to find fame and fortune.

It was in that final year at college that Stephen met his future wife, Wendy. Forty five years on with seven children and six grandchildren, they are still together.

Like many young people, Stephen started work aimlessly as a clerk in the old New Zealand Post Office, while trying to fulfil his musical ambitions. Early fatherhood demanded a less care-free approach and to quote George Thoroughgood time to get a haircut and get a real job.

This led to his first management role at the age of 24 with Telecom Corporation, arriving at Te Kuiti at age 30 to be a second-tier manager at Waitomo District Council and then becoming the mayor at that same Council at 35. While still the Mayor he held a full-time management role at Waikeria prison, focused on developing work skills for inmates. This led to the opening of the first bakery in a prison in New Zealand and the prison being a finalist in the NZ Supreme Pie competition.

Stephen later became the chief executive of Gore District Council, a position he held for nearly 23 years. The abandoned secondary school education was bolstered later in life with a Graduate Diploma of Business Studies from Massey University and a Bachelor of Laws, with Honours, from Otago University.

His interests are wide and varied such as music, sport, the law, breeding birds and being a national canary judge, along with breeding and racing thoroughbred horses, amongst others.

Stephen is passionate about whatever he turns his mind to, enjoying the journey as much as the final destination. His motto on life is to pursue what fills the soul, make decisions on what will stand the test of time and be wary of being swept up by popular decree.