Steve Aschebrock, Managing Director and joint owner of Inzide Commercial, a CarboNZero certified interior carpet tiles company with a strong sustainability values at its core. He is a Director of the New Zealand Green Building Council, and has a wealth of knowledge on all things sustainable in the built environment. He’s also a long-time North Shore (Forrest Hill) resident, who’s encouraged his company to get involved in a range of environmental initiatives. We asked Steve a few questions about his background and his life on the Shore…
Channel Magazine: What do you most love about living and working on the Shore?
Steve Aschebrock: That I live and work on the North Shore – no traffic hassles and 10 minutes max to work. Plus my kids went to Carmel, Rosmini and Westlake Boys so after-school and sports activities were generally local: Forrest Hill, Milford Football club and North Shore Rowing also being key areas of action. It’s all local; add in the beaches and parks all around and you have a neighbourhood that is awesome.
CM: How long have you lived here?
SA: More than 20 years
CM: What activities and organisations are you involved with?
SA: Currently the New Zealand Green Building Council and Marriage Encounter. The days of coaching the kids for football, and the early morning starts for North Shore rowing and Westlake Boys cycling are a happy but distant memory.
CM: What else might you be involved with if you had more time?
SA: Family deserves lots of time and with a large family on both sides plus running a business with 18 employees and what we already do, I would put any gift of more time into relaxing.
CM: Tell us a bit about the environmental initiatives that Inzide supports – and why you do that?
SA: Tough question! Why does Inzide pay for our carbon use to the tune of $50K per year when it is not compulsory? Is it love for humanity, for our next generation?? I am not sure. I know climate change is all around, driven by excess carbon in the atmosphere. Government will never move (look around) as it costs votes and at the end of the day politicians talk, they don’t do. People as individuals won’t move en mass due to vested interests. Only business has the ability to make real change. So all you business owners out there, stand up and pay up for the “free goods” that the environment provides. It’s only free if you don’t care about your children.
CM: Tell us about a place that is a secret gem on The North Shore.
SA: I kayak a lot and so have many hidden gems – any beach between Takapuna and Narrow Neck on an incoming tide is great – NO people and lots of beach and ocean to yourself. And McKenzie Bay on Rangitoto when it isn’t a long weekend is also great to escape to.
CM: Do you have a favourite local event you look forward to each year?
SA: Christmas – not exactly local but family, friends and the bbq always make for a great time together.
CM: If you could change one aspect about your suburb, what would it be?
SA: Please will everybody stop putting your rubbish bins on the footpaths – leave them on the grass berms! My wife and I walk a lot, and on and around rubbish day we’re always dodging people’s rubbish bins that are left on the footpaths. Thank you.
CM: Who would you most like to have as neighbours and why?
SA: Anybody with a smile, a happy demeanour and positive attitude is very welcome.
