Philip Patston
Managing Director
Diversity and Leadership Consultant
Philip Patston founded Diversity New Zealand Ltd in September 2001, after he had been self-employed for three years.
Philip has over 25 years professional experience in counselling, social work, human rights promotion, creative and social entrepreneurship, as well as leadership. He also had a thirteen-year career as a professional, award-winning comedian (1997-2010).
Philip's diverse professional career combines with the somewhat paradoxical life experience as a gay, Caucasian man with unique function (disability), which is the foundation for our leading approach in the work we do.
In October 2015, Philip 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). He was put on the list again in 2016 and 2017.
In July 2014, he 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.
Philip is also a Leadership New Zealand Fellow (2012) and a New Zealand Social Entrepreneur Fellow (2007-2009). He was one of the first cohorts of the Art Venture programme for creative entrepreneurs. He spoke at TEDxAuckland in July 2012 about his unique approach to diversity.In 2010 Minnie Baragwanath engaged Philip to co-design and execute with Lesley Slade the Be. Leadership programme. After 10 years the programme graduated 150 access and possibility champions.
Philip 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, he 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.
Philip is also part of a group of creatives working with the NZ Film Commission's Diversity and Inclusion programme, and advises a dual-diagnosis team for Te Pou.
Philip also writes poetry and collaborates to make songs and music videos (see below).
Comedy
An excerpt of Philip performing at his winning Billy T gig in 1999
Speaking
Philip's 2012 TEDxAuckland talk
Music videos
As Love Draws Near (2012)
Who We Are (2016)
