Steffan Browning

Candidate for Kaikoura Electorate

Born 1954, Clyde

Lives in Blenheim

List position 12

Steffan is standing for the Green Party in the Kaikoura Electorate at list number 12. Steffan has previously stood for the green Party in the Kaikoura Electorate in 2005 ans as a List Only Candidate in 2002.

Background

Steffan is the Soil & Health Association spokesperson and is actively involved in the organic sector. He is involved in sustainable GE-free primary production including forestry, aquaculture and fisheries, organic agriculture, pesticides/safe food, eco-system management and small business. He has extensive experience of the RMA process and working on marine farming applications, gaining industry and iwi support and winning appeals in the Environment Court. Steffan is the Co-chair and spokesperson of the Soil & Health Association of NZ, member of the BioGro board and certification committee, and council member of Organics Aotearoa New Zealand. Co-chair of Friends of Nelson Haven & Tasman Bay. Active member of Marlborough Environment Centre. Founding member of the Marlborough Farmers' Market. Steffan gained U.E. in 1971. He completed 18 months of nurse training and is qualified through the University of Life in ecology, sustainable primary production and small business.

Achievements

Steffan has two adult sons. For 17 years Steffan was a successful BioGro certified organic horticulturalist employing up to 10 workers and operating NZ's largest organic heated glasshouse. The business observed the Kyoto protocol voluntarily and won both the Horticulture and Supreme awards in the 2003 Marlborough Rural Environmental Awards. Previously: Health sector worker, garden and landscape contractor and owner of Blenheim's first organic shop from 1997 to 2003.

Community involvements

Steffan has been a voluntary environmental advocate for 15 years on issues such as organics, GE, aquaculture, waste, spraydrift and biodiversity. Has well developed networks on local social issues; often attends the Marlborough Community Workers Forum and has been a member of school committees and boards. Steffan often presents a Green viewpoint in articles and interviews for through his organic and environmental roles.

Interests/Hobbies

Despite the dominant feature of Steffan’s life being long hours spent on issues of ecological sustainability, he enjoys time with family and friends and in the wilds of the Marlborough Sounds.

Personal Statement

“New Zealand primary production is in a precarious position. On one hand New Zealand has a reputation as clean and green. On the other its indifferent Crown Research Institutes and agri-business companies are pushing technologies such as GE, nanotechnology, and nitrification inhibitors in which they might profit under the misnomer of primary production sustainability. Fishing companies and aquaculture continue to overstretch sustainability limits. Forestry that seeks carbon sequestration glory, leaves a formidable environmental footprint by its use of dioxin containing herbicides, massive land disturbance, chemical preservatives and ozone depleting neurotoxins in its low value product. I want to turn that around into a genuine clean and green environmental, economic and socially sustainable mix that New Zealanders can enjoy and be proud of.”

Contact

Steffan Browning
PO Box 218
Blenheim 7240
sjb@steffan.co.nz
021 725655