A Life Less Ordinary - Gray Matters

Growing up in Minnesota in the 1950s, Steven Gray was influenced by three things; the creek in front of his house, progressive politics, and television. By Michael Bortnick, Photography by Daniel Rose
The creek led to lakes, parkways, and adventure. Liberal role models like Hubert Humphrey, Martin Luther King, Steven’s rabbi, and his parents created a desire to change the world. Television exposed him to life outside his own confines.

In 1974, his sense of adventure brought him to New Zealand for three weeks, a visit so brief, he knew he must return. Later, he spent 11 months sailing through the South Pacific. Steven always found it more satisfying to knock back Kava with the natives than pints with the yachties. That trip culminated with a sail to New Zealand where he spent six months thoroughly exploring the country.

After returning to Minnesota to recharge his bank account, Steven set out to sail around the world. While in Tahiti, Maggie – an old schoolmate – joined the crew. In Tonga, the couple committed to one another and decided to marry at home.

Steven would spend the next 25 years trying to find the perfect career that would allow him to combine his yearning for adventure and his quixotic quest to brighten the future of the downtrodden. He started consulting locally for the empowerment of folks in low-income communities. He assisted over 50 charitable and governmental organisations to help them improve their effectiveness. After completing a Masters degree, Steven worked increasingly on international projects including a gig as Peace Corps Training Director in Sierra Leone and Evaluation and Training Director for the American Refugee Committee.

He is proud of playing a role in assisting free elections in many emerging democracies. In 1995, he helped organise Ghana’s fledgling Election Commission and put them on a course to achieve both high voter participation and 15 years of democratic elections.

1997 saw the couple and their three kids emigrate to New Zealand so Steven could consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Here in Godzone, they appreciated the nation’s egalitarian thinking and the splendour of Nelson.

Steven now works on different foreign aid projects and has completed assignments in 23 different countries. What better way to feed the wanderlust whilst working on world repairs? It hasn’t all been tranquil. He’s had a gun pointed at him by a member of a Sierra Leone militia, been shelled while working in a refugee camp in Thailand, and was in Pakistan when Benazir Bhutto was assassinated.

Nelson is a great place to come home to after living amongst the chaos of the developing world. He finds the birdsong of the Maitai Valley perfect to centre himself and recharge batteries.

Protecting that peacefulness has seen Steven take an active role in the Nelson Safe Streets Association, doing battle to restrict logging traffic through the city and protecting Branford Park from boy racers.

Our town looks much more distinguished thanks to a touch of Gray.