Philip "Pip" Patston
Managing Director
Diversity and Leadership Consultant
I've over 25 years professional experience in counselling, social work, human rights promotion, creative and social entrepreneurship, as well as leadership. I also had a thirteen-year career as a professional, award-winning comedian (1997-2010).
My diverse professional career combines a somewhat paradoxical life experience as a gay, Caucasian man with unique function), which is the foundation for my approach in the work I do.
In October 2015, I was named one of the Top 10 diversity consultants in the inaugural Global Diversity List, the first-ever assessment of the world’s leading authorities on diversity (media release). Ia was put on the list again in 2016 and 2017.
In July 2014, I was awarded the Inaugural Arts Access Accolade, which recognises the lifetime achievements of an individual who has played a significant role in working with Arts Access Aotearoa to achieve its vision of a society where all people in New Zealand can participate in the arts.
I am also a Leadership New Zealand Fellow (2012) and a New Zealand Social Entrepreneur Fellow (2007-2009). I was one of the first cohorts of the Art Venture programme for creative entrepreneurs. I spoke at TEDxAuckland in July 2012 about a unique approach to diversity.
In 2010 Minnie Baragwanath engaged me to co-design and execute with Lesley Slade the Be. Leadership programme. After 10 years the programme graduated 150 access and possibility champions.
I was Chair of the Auckland Council Disability Advisory Panel from July 2017 to July 2018 and was one of the Health Research Council NZ's Development Group in June 2018. In 2020, I ran a social media campaign for the End-of-Life Choice Society that led to the passing of the referendum to bring the End-of-Life Act into force at NZ's election.
I'm working with the NZ Film Commission's Diversity and Inclusion programme, and advise Te Pou.
I was co-lead for the Future Operational Model of the new disability ministry.
I also write poetry and collaborate to make songs and music videos (see below).
Comedy
An excerpt of Philip performing at ia winning Billy T gig in 1999
Speaking
Pip's 2012 TEDxAuckland talk
Music videos
As Love Draws Near (2012)
Who We Are (2016)
Contact me
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