One minute with Claire Appleby Phillips
We are all in the Waka together as all sectors and groups have a role to play in creating a healthier Greater Christchurch! Meet some of the signatories who are with us in the Waka in our new One Minute With segment.
Let's meet Claire Appleby Phillips...
What does your organisation do and what’s your role there?
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Its vision is to make Christchurch a city of opportunity for all - open to new ideas, new people, and new ways of doing things- where anything is possible.
I am the Manager of the Community Planning and Projects Team within the Community Support and Partnership Unit which is part of the Citizens and Community Group! Our team has strategic oversite of the development , implementation, monitoring, and impact reporting of our community facing strategies - primarily Strengthening Communities Together Strategy and Council Multicultural Strategy.
We also have management oversite of the awesome new Multicultural Centre on Hagley Park, Pacific Liaison, and the Welcoming Communities programme. We are also shaping up our unit’s work-plan in relation to climate resilience/adaptation and our newly adopted Equity and Inclusion Policy.
What do you enjoy most about your mahi or working for your organisation?
I really love being a public servant. I understand that I am lucky to have access to resources and influence. Its my job to ensure others have that opportunity too. I love helping people across that bridge and working with others to achieve a collective vision.
What project have you been a part of at your organisation that you’re most proud of?
The refresh and rewrite of the Strengthening Communities Together Strategy was a labour of love as was supporting the Muslim community through the tragic events of the 15th March and beyond.
Who inspires you in your mahi?
People with enthusiasm and those who are risk-takers and disrupters! I get fidgety doing the same safe things and delight in meeting these special people who can lead me astray.
Share a book, talk, training or podcast that has influenced your professional development
Filthy Rich and Other Not for Profit Fantasies. A book about Cause Related Marketing. I’ve always had an interest in community grant funding/social enterprise/organisational sustainability and community economic development. It tickled my fancy.
What’s an activity, hobby, or interest that you enjoy outside of work that contributes to your own wellbeing?
In a past life, it was singing in a band but more presently its chilling out with my 5 moko or fly fishing or actually - truth be told - just lying down on the couch doing absolutely nothing.
What is your favourite space or place in Waitaha, and why?
I live at Waikuku Beach… enough said!
Email healthychristchurch@cdhb.health.nz if you would like to be featured in our One Minute With segment for Waka Toa Ora signatories.