Steven Moe

ChristchurchNew Zealand
Written By Simon Nielsen

Lawyer & podcaster

Focused on how we can weave in impact to purpose driven organisations in the future. Do this as a practising lawyer but also a podcaster at Seeds Podcast and a writer.

 

Organization: Seeds Podcast

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Mail

Website

Behind The Scenes

Short description:

I love what I do. Why?

Because my favourite thing is to get to know a client and journey with them to really understand the positive change they want to be in the world, and then help them achieve that through the tools of legal structures, contracts and agreements. My role is to help catalyse positive impact.

I am a Partner at Parry Field Lawyers with 20 years experience as a lawyer. As a leader in our corporate and commercial team every day I am helping people set up new entities (whether they are companies, charities or social enterprises) and am working on contracts of all types.

I am a member of the XRB Panel, am an Edmund Hillary Fellow and graduated from Canterbury University in 2001 and after 3 years in Wellington at a national law firm I spent 11 years overseas working for international law firm Norton Rose Fulbright in Tokyo (4 years), London (3 years) and Sydney (4 years) and returned at the start of 2016. Because of my international experience I bring a unique perspective and proactive approach to issues faced by clients. I am based in Christchurch but do work for clients across New Zealand and from overseas.

Given my focus on empowering impact I published the book: "Social Enterprises in New Zealand: A Legal Handbook" and am a regular contributor of articles to Spinoff magazine, Idealog and Stuff. I am a member of Charities Services Sector Group.

To educate, encourage and grow the impact ecosystem I host a podcast called 'seeds' (in podcasting apps) or at www.theseeds.nz interviewing inspiring people with more than 275 interviews and more than 120,000 listens. I am a facilitator for IOD courses training directors on their legal duties. I am on Charities Services sector group and convene a cross sector group of NFP, Charity, NGO and Community organisations to discuss issues they face. I’m Chair of Community Finance, an impact investment company focussed on social housing which has raised more than $90 million. Currently hold a practising certificate for New Zealand but am also qualified in England & Wales and Australia (NSW).

Here is a recent short 6 minute presentation explaining my 'why'.

View from your window:

Beautiful clouds and a unique weather pattern called the "NorWest Arch" which spreads a long cloud across our South Island sky.

What's your contribution?

Stimulate thinking about future ways we structure organisations for positive impact.

What brings you here?

Curiosity and a desire to connect with others on the journey.

What's the most important?

Knowing who you are first, and letting that inform what you do.

Meet Steven Moe here:

Featured
The End Is The Beginning
The End Is The Beginning

“Now he was here on an airplane feeling clumsy as he struggled to fill in the immigration card they had just given to him. What was the flight number again? He searched through the carry on bag to try and find the ticket. The entire trip had left him feeling nervous for several weeks beforehand. What was he thinking? Why was he doing this?” Lawyer and podcaster Steven Moe tells a story of finding home.

A Decision Is Made
A Decision Is Made

“The letter itself sat there on the table. The envelope lay beside it, ripped apart and empty. A few pages with long cursive writing scratched on them was all that had emerged. Those pages just had words written there. Simple words really. Words about a new country, a new opportunity, a new century, a new chance. Words that were about to tear our family further apart.” Lawyer and podcaster Steven Moe tells a story of new beginnings and lost lands.

What Julie Lost And What She Found
What Julie Lost And What She Found

“When the kettle was full she turned to the stove to boil it and it was in that moment that she had a feeling that something was not quite right. She had lived with a certain order for so long it was almost as if she didn’t need to look to know. She put the kettle down and turned around slowly. The window sill above the sink was almost bare, as if someone had swept up the stones that had sat there. Julie knew in that instant what it meant and she ran towards the door.” Lawyer and podcaster Steven Moe tells a story of loss and belonging.

Why Storytelling Matters
Why Storytelling Matters

"My mother had taught me something important. There is no person who is not interesting – if you think that someone is not interesting, then that is your fault not theirs – every single person has a story." Lawyer and podcaster Steven Mee shares a personal and moving reflection on the power of stories and storytelling.

What Is Your Cathedral?
What Is Your Cathedral?

“In the day to day repetition of placing one brick on another it can be really hard to see what is being built and maintain the vision. Yet that is what will sustain you in the long run. If you can see a bigger picture then that will give purpose.” Lawyer and podcaster Steven Moe asks us what we’re building.

Creativity & Vulnerability: Give It All … Give It Now
Creativity & Vulnerability: Give It All … Give It Now

“We need to embrace vulnerability as the path to open up our creativity and through doing so truly put out new things into the world. Sure, there may be critics of what we produce. Sure, whatever it is may fail. But we need to be down in the arena. Be ready to show up before you are even ready to be on the stage. Grab the mic and fail wholeheartedly – always knowing you gave it your very best shot.” Lawyer and podcaster Steven Moe asks us to dare.

A Case For Bringing Creatives To The Governance Table
A Case For Bringing Creatives To The Governance Table

“We need to look again at the roads on which we had been travelling and ask if they are the right ones. One aspect of this might be looking at the role of boards to govern businesses. While we rightly talk about addressing imbalances when it comes to age, ethnicity and gender, what might happen if we also focused on divergent thinking that comes from having creatives involved?” Lawyer and podcaster Steven Moe explores the ways that creativity can play a new role in the stewardship of businesses.

Structuring For Impact
Structuring For Impact

“The world is changing. Businesses that exist for profit and purpose are now commonplace. Social enterprises prioritise people and the environment, ensuring they are looked after through business – rather than as collateral of profit-making.” The authors examine the potential for unlocking innovation and entrepreneurship while creating greater wellbeing.

The Hard Questions We Need To Be Asking
The Hard Questions We Need To Be Asking

“When asked to look at any organisation from an independent consultant perspective we often use the phrase of “flying in from Mars”. In other words, if I were flying in from Mars today and wanted to set up an organisation to address your particular cause with the most impact, would I set up your organisation? The authors ask hard questions and challenge us all to reconsider our impact.

What Social Enterprises in Aotearoa Can Learn From Māoritanga
What Social Enterprises in Aotearoa Can Learn From Māoritanga

“While the term ‘social enterprise’ itself is relatively new, the fundamental concepts behind it are not. We are still at the early stages of the growth of the social enterprise sector here in Aotearoa. What better time to think about how Māoritanga – Māori culture, practices and beliefs and way of life – can help flavour our particular recipe?” The authors dive into a country’s past to find a way forward.

Purpose-Driven Structures For Impact Entrepreneurs In Aotearoa New Zealand: Considering Kaitiakitanga And Steward Ownership
Purpose-Driven Structures For Impact Entrepreneurs In Aotearoa New Zealand: Considering Kaitiakitanga And Steward Ownership

“Put simply: business of the past has often had a focus on being extractive rather than being regenerative. In response, a growing movement of impact entrepreneurs and investors are taking up the challenge of rethinking, redesigning and reorienting available legal structures of ownership and finance to ensure ‘purpose primacy’.” The authors propose an intergenerational and sustainable approach to business ownership.

The Apple Tree
The Apple Tree

“They were quiet then. I was too as I reflected on what was said. This brief conversation had opened a new perspective and healed something within.”

Read this short story - or is it a fairytale? - or a biography? - by lawyer and podcaster Steven Moe. It may heal something within.

Proposed Changes To The Companies Act Mark The Beginning Of Positive Change
Proposed Changes To The Companies Act Mark The Beginning Of Positive Change

“For decades our rules have lacked clarity over the function of directors, their duties and what they should consider when making decisions. Our thinking has been influenced by the economist Milton Friedman who in 1970 declared that the primary function of a company is to generate wealth for its shareholders.” Lawyer and podcaster Steven Moe examines a new role for private companies in our communities.

Impact Investing Presents Opportunity To Back A Better Future Beyond Just Financial Gain
Impact Investing Presents Opportunity To Back A Better Future Beyond Just Financial Gain

“Rather than #buildbackbetter perhaps we need to question if we want to go “back” and return to how things have been. Perhaps this is a chance not just to return to old ways but to embrace new conceptions, and it will be a shame if we miss it.” Lawyer and podcaster Steven Moe challenges us to rethink the future we want.

The Bottom Line Is Not Enough, Companies Should Be Required To Have A Purpose
The Bottom Line Is Not Enough, Companies Should Be Required To Have A Purpose

“We need to balance profit with purpose while incorporating new ways of thinking about ownership as stewards of what we have. Requiring the purpose to be clear will mean directors have a Northern Star to refer back to and guide them.” Steven Moe writes on the tyranny of the status quo.

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