About me

I’m a freelance project manager, writer and advisor from Te Whanganui a Tara, Aotearoa New Zealand.

My speciality is working on web-based projects for organisations striving for environmental or social change, and other good causes. I’m actively involved in grassroots citizens groups – something I started doing over 20 years ago.

To find out some of the ways I can help your organisation see My services. For my full CV see my LinkedIn profile.

On this page:

In the web world – freelancing since 2007
What people have said about my work
Volunteering
Life before freelancing
Other education
Memberships

In the web world – freelancing since 2007

Since June 2007 I have been working as a self-employed freelance project manager, writer and advisor.

I’ve worked on many web projects, both big and small. I’m equally comfortable with the people side of projects, as with policies, planning, content and the technical side of things. One of my real strengths is seeing things through and delivering finished products.

I’m not graphic designer or programmer, but I know how to get something that meets my clients’ expectations for quality. Achieving benchmarks for accessible design is something I am committed to.

On the web there is no shortage of new things to try so I allow time to keep up-to-date and experiment. When I’m able, I reflect on some of what I learn through posts on this blog.

Pulling these various threads together, I see myself as a broker, translator or to use Nancy White et al’s parlance, a technology steward. My emphasis is on achieving real outcomes for organisations, with technology in it’s rightful place as a tool. People and processes ahead of the tools themselves.

Recent projects I’ve completed include:

  • Offering a two part webinar series for NGO website managers (run in March 2012)
  • Preparing the “Why ICT matters for family support services and community organisations: and how to help people get better at using IT” framework, for Family and Community Services (completed December 2011)
  • Conducting user research, and writing for an upgrade of the Strengthening Families website (launched July 2011)
  • Planning and developing a wiki for Philanthropy New Zealand’s research and evaluation network (launched November 2010)
  • Organising and facilitating the Engage your community unConference (held August 2010)
  • Project managing creation of the DrugHelp and MethHelp websites (launched August 2010)
  • Investigating options for, and planning, an online product launch (held May 2010)
  • Facilitating a process to upgrade the web presence for an NGO and preparing a two-year roadmap (accepted March 2010).

Organisations I’ve completed contracted work for include: Family & Community Services (MSD), State Services Commission, Jigsaw, Families Commission, Forest and Bird, Philanthropy NZ, Tindall Foundation, Oxfam New Zealand, Wellington ICT, NZFVWO, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington City Council, Cycling Advocates Network, NFP Works Ltd, and HistoryWorks Ltd.

Some of the web related training and events I’ve attended include:

  • Connecting Up Australia conferences, in 2008, 2009 and 2011 (presenter)
  • Connecting Up New Zealand conferences in Wellington and Auckland, in May 2011 (presenter)
  • Engage your community conferences/ unconference, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (presenter)
  • Web analytics practitioner course, Market Motive (student)
  • Webstock conferences, in 2008, 2009 and 2010 (participant)
  • Introduction to user testing, Optimal Usability workshop (participant)
  • Facilitating Online course, Otago Polytechnic (student)
  • Contented: online courses in business writing for the web, Rachel McAlpine (participant)
  • Creating Passionate Users, GOVIS Conference workshop, Kathy Sierra (participant)
  • Graduate Diploma in Information Design, Christchurch Polytechnic – Professional Writing & Editing course (student)
  • Delivering interactive group training for adult learners, Open Polytechnic (student)
  • Web accessibility workshop, Vision Australia (participant).

What people have said about my work:

Snappy, fun and informative – the Wellington NGO webmasters networking event delivered. Thank you for hosting it Stephen.
Webmaster, small Wellington NGO, 15 Nov 2011

Stephen worked with us to project manage establishing CommunityCentral, which is an a very ambitious project – and I highly recommend him. He has a great understanding of voluntary and community organisations, and brings an innovative and flexible approach to all that he does. Stephen has a great balance of keeping the overall objectives firmly in sight while working on a vast array of details at the same time. I am a very happy to be contacted for further references.”
Tina Reid Executive Director NZFVWO

You have been invaluable in steering us in the appropriate direction, providing robust advice and guidance and generally keeping us honest! Thanks heaps!
Julie Watson, Forest & Bird

We are really thrilled by the quality of the research you have done for us – it’s really outstanding – logical and it means we have developed some good grounds upon which to go forward on – that are tested and make sense! Thanks for the really fantastic job you have done for us and exceeded all our expectations.
Robyn Scott, Executive Director, Philanthropy NZ

Your help to me was invaluable as it gave me a really good understanding of what was available and what we really want, I didn’t understand this before your came to see us. I have gone back to your notes and powerpoint many times to make sure that I had a really good feel of what could be done.
Carolyn Cummins, Jigsaw

Thanks for a fantastic workshop on Friday. I really found it useful and learned quite a few new things. I will definitely look at for any future workshops you are offering.
Cara Anderson, Website Manager, The OSCAR Foundation

Volunteering

Stretching over 20 years I’ve been part of are many grassroots groups. At the moment, as a parent with young children I find it hard to find time to do much volunteering at the moment. I’m currently helping out with websites for Bishopdale Tramping Club, Brooklyn Early Childhood Education Centre, Transition Towns Brooklyn food group and Campaign for MMP.

Life before self-employment

Prior to becoming self-employed I worked for a range of government agencies and NGOs. I’ve had management and advisory roles with the Ministry of Social Development, Department of Internal Affairs, Families Commission and Environment and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand.

I began working on community related websites in 1998, when I was involved in the launch of the CommunityNet Aotearoa website. Subsequently I took on a broader role promoting community organisation ICT capacity building with the Department of Internal Affairs.

While working with government, some of the big things I was responsible for included:

Management training I’ve completed includes:

  • Negotiating and Influencing Skills for Managers, Melbourne Business School
  • Managing Performance and Behaviour Problems, EMA Central
  • Introduction to Management, NZIM
  • Project management short course, AUT.

Other education

In 1999 I completed an MA thesis through Massey University looking at an episode of public participation run by Wellington City Council. I was particularly interested to learn whether the “Our city ~ our future” Strategy would add or detract from efforts to make Wellington a greener place to live. You can read about my conclusions in a summary of my thesis: “Shifting to a sustainable city? Citizen participation in Wellington’s Our City – Our Future Strategy” (PDF 52 KB).

My initial degree was a BA (Hons) majoring in Politics and History from Canterbury University. I graduated in 1991.

Memberships

I’m a member and supporter of the following organisations:

 

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