Business / Ethical Interests
Allgood Organics (fairtrade organic bananas), Clean Planet (Sustainable commercial cleaning and products), Kokako (fairtrade organic coffee roaster, hot chocolate, food provider)Chair of SBN (Sustainable Business Network), Chair of Biogro (NZ’s leading organic certifier), Previous life was founding co-director of Phoenix Organics.
Who am I?
I am 49, married to Deb, who has her own eco funeral business (State of Grace) with four kids aged from 15 to 23, and a grandson aged 4,live in town after years out west, have a house at Piha where I can pursue my love of surfing. Also really enjoying the Ocean swims I started last year. I get huge enjoyment out of involvement with ethical and sustainable business. I am committed to doing what it takes to see this beautiful country become a leading nation in sustainability.
24/7 - my passions
Surfing, walking in the beautiful west coast bush, cranking up the veggie garden at Piha, music, good movies, family life.
My biggest mistake
Jumping into a business too quickly after moving on from Phoenix ....it was a disaster
How I used the learning’s
Took a great deal more time to look deeply into the current businesses I am involved in,
My source of pride
Growing an iconic NZ brand from a small production (making ginger beer in the bathtub) to what it is now.
Is balance possible?
Not initially with a new business, but what we should strive for in our work life.
3 Rules I live by
To live as healthy lifestyle as possible, positive outlook on life, try to make a difference
Don’t Ever... (do this to me)
Greenwash (integrity is very important to me), don’t be perpetually late.
My first job
Deckhand on a salmon boat in Canada
I knew I was onto something when...
I bought a ginger beer bug, on impulse, for $50, 24 years ago.
Business advice I wish I was given earlier on.
Actually pretty happy with the advice I was given, lucky to have a very supportive extended family
The next big thing in my life will be...
Seeing the businesses that I am involved in, (All Good Organics, Clean Planet and Kokako), really coming into their own. Combating the big guns in the Fruit & Vege world and seeing the very first Fairtrade Organic bananas being available for the public in NZ supermarkets through All Good Organics.
I set goals that... or I don’t set goals because....
I regard myself as pretty disciplined, but having a goal encourages me even more to focus, and I really enjoy the satisfaction of achievement.
If I had my wish I would have unlimited....
Influence – I would then convert all NZ farms to organic production and get the government to commit to a meaningful reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
People are often irritated when
I go on and on about the above! And the kids hate me repeatedly telling them to turn the lights off etc.
My favourite charity
Organisations working with micro enterprise funding, we have visited a couple of groups in Indonesia that we have donated to and it really does work.
Why is it important for NZ to have a sustainable future?
Simply, if we don’t, there will be no real future here.
Do you think organic can feed the world?
Of course!
Parting Shot
We are so lucky to be living in New Zealand, let’s look after it, and help create something wonderful for the generations to come.