Steven is a partner at Parry Field Lawyers in our commercial team, actively supporting clients across the country. Having qualified in New Zealand and worked for more than a decade on corporate transactions worth billions of dollars while based in London, Tokyo, and Sydney, Steven returned home in 2016.
After returning, Steven published several legal books that have been downloaded many thousands of times, such as the Start-ups Legal Toolkit, Social Enterprises in New Zealand, and Capital Raising for Founders. As a result, Steven has become a sought after advisor, speaker, and Institute of Directors Facilitator, hosting their podcast Board Matters. Steven frequently writes for the media and also hosts the Seeds Podcast, with more than 450 interviews.
In 2024, Steven won NZ Lawyer’s Most Influential Lawyers Changemaker award and, in 2025, Steven’s Seeds Podcast was recognised with the Best Media Reporting on Ethical Investment award at the Mindful Money Awards.
Leading our growing Impact team, Steven has a unique blend of Impact expertise and focus on purpose driven organisations and innovative legal structures, such as:
Founders and Companies
Steven helps keep founders and companies safe with bespoke advice on the right legal structures, multi-million dollar capital raisings, contracts and contract reviews, takeovers, and intellectual property (IP).
As a member of the External Reporting Advisory Panel (XRAP), Steven provides input to the regulator which sets the financial standards of New Zealand.
Charities
Steven has assisted many hundreds of charities, churches, incorporated societies, and ‘for purpose’ groups ranging from very large Tier 1 charities to those just beginning, including setting up more than 50 in the last year (approximately one a week). Creator of the Charities Healthcheck, which has contributions from 100 other leading industry experts, Steven is also a frequent speaker in this area, providing input to the regulator as part of the Charities Services Sector Group. He wrote a Charities Handbook and has written parts of the New Zealand Charities text for Lexis Nexis.
Overseas Entities
Steven assists many foreign entities looking to set up in New Zealand, ensuring they meet local regulations.
Governance
Steven is nationally recognised as a leading expert on governance and is a busy facilitator for the Institute of Directors, teaching people about legal risks and how to stay safe.
Steven welcomes the chance to talk with you about how our team could help yours. You can email him by clicking here.
“Steven and his team were quick yet thorough, respectful, and honest when it came to setting up a charity that is kaupapa Māori. They made a challenging process easy and manageable to navigate.”
“It was indeed a pleasure dealing with Parry Field – they were very professional, went above and beyond and were immensely helpful in both setting up a property trust, incorporating a charity, and also with settling a new commercial property purchase. Thank you so so much for all your help.” – Jebra Abraham
“Outstanding service! The team at Parry Field have been incredibly supportive, guiding our Not-for-Profit organisation through a change of legal status. There were several complications that would have been impossible for our organisation to navigate alone. The team are clearly passionate about the Not-for-Profit sector, going above and beyond with their time, but keeping the billing very affordable. Ngā mihi nui.” – Steps Forward
For more testimonials, see here.
Steven is helping many incorporated societies to prepare for reregistration under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 and to consider their legal structure.
Find out more on our Information Hub.
