In late 2019 with over 10 years working as a rural farm consultant and supervisor, Stephen threw himself into rural real estate. Stephen came to Bayleys Gisborne with an extensive understanding of the district, its agricultural landscape, and its people.

With support from the Bayleys Gisborne team and the connections made through the multiple Māori Incorporations and Trusts, individual farmers and their families, large corporate entities and a wide range of rural professionals that Stephen had worked with in the past, real estate transactions began to happen and his new career flourished to the point where he was recognised amongst his peers at the Bayleys National Awards as the 2021 Bayleys Rural Rookie of the Year and Bayleys over all sectors Rookie of the Year. He also received the REINZ Rural Rising Star award over all agencies nationwide in the same year.

Determined not to be a one-year wonder, Stephen remains a firm believer in continuous learning and stays abreast of industry trends and regional developments, ensuring his advice remains relevant and valuable. His commitment to achieving optimal outcomes for his clients is evident in his enthusiasm for facilitating successful transactions and fostering beneficial connections, which have helped the Bayleys Gisborne Rural team win REINZ Small Rural Office of the Year and Stephen personally joined the illustrious ranks of the top 5% of agents within the Bayleys group in 2023. While just as comfortable in the boardroom nego tiating a transaction, Stephen loves getting out of the office and showing off vendors' properties to purchasers. Supported by his personal assistant Debs Quilter means systems are in place to ensure both vendors and purchasers are well supported throughout campaigns and beyond.

Beyond his professional endeavours, Stephen is deeply invested in his community, recognising the need to help, he founded "Surfing for Farmers" in 2018, creating the opportunity for farmers to unwind and connect with peers amidst the pressures of their work. This initiative, now spanning 27 locations nationwide, has garnered recognition, with Stephen and the Surfing for Farmers team receiving multiple awards. Stephen's community involvement extends to serving on the Federated Farmers Committee, his longstanding executive role in the Poverty Bay A&P Association, and his past presidency of Ngatapa Rugby and Associated Sports Club, all positions that have enriched his skill set.

There's not a lot of spare time these days, between helping with the family farm and owning an orchard. Stephen is happiest when hanging out with his wife Nicole and getting their two blonde hair, blue-eyed Ngāti kids Jasper and Sylvie out and about in amongst the action. If he finds a bit of time for himself, he can be found either on or in the water, shooting a duck or a deer or on the couch watching sport.