With a background in law I have extensive experience in governance and community leadership. I am a former Auckland Councillor for the Waitematā and Gulf ward and served for many years on the Waitematā Local Board. I have a lifelong commitment to public service.
I am passionate about building vibrant, inclusive, accessible and resilient communities.
My approach is collaborative, constructive, positive and effective. I have a track record of getting results for all Aucklanders. My work draws on productive relationships with community, business, stakeholders and mana whenua.
My background
My path into politics started early on with community activism, volunteering and community-building. I was born in London and raised in Hemel Hempstead, England where my values were shaped from a young age by the threat of nuclear war, the toxicity of apartheid and the rise of Thatcherism.
My family immigrated to New Zealand just after I turned 14. I immediately felt at home living in Ponsonby and attending Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, where my interests in service and activism were encouraged. I was a founding member of the Auckland City Youth Council. For my final year of school I lived with a family in Peru as an AFS student. At Otago University, where I completed a law degree (hons) in 1991, I volunteered at the community law centre, taught English as a second language, and was secretary of the Otago Law Students Association and secretary of the Otago Labour Club.
My community activism continued during a 15 year legal career. After completing Professional Legal Studies at Victoria University of Wellington in 1993 I worked for John Edwards, Barrister (now the UK’s Information Commissioner) at the Ministry of Fisheries, for Network Rail in the UK and was a senior lawyer at Vector.
Being made redundant from Vector in early 2009 gave me the opportunity to become a full-time volunteer in the community involved with active transport advocacy, community development and sustainability. During an exciting time of community building leading up to the formation of the Super City in October 2010 I was a trustee of Kelmarna Community Farm, Grey Lynn 2030 and Connected Media Trusts, the coordinator of Frocks on Bikes, membership secretary of Cycle Action Auckland (now Bike Auckland) and organiser of climate action events. In 2009 I also stood as an independent candidate in the Entrust (then Auckland Energy Consumers Trust) election seeking to give the Trust a community focus and set a sustainable direction for Vector.
I was named Sustainability Champion at the 2011 Sustainable Business Network awards for my cycling advocacy and involvement with the Grey Lynn Farmers Market, which I served for five years as chair of the management committee.
In 2010 I was elected to the Waitematā Local Board in the first Super City election. In 2013 and 2016 I was the highest polling candidate. Over 12 years on Auckland Council (9 years on the local board and one term as Councillor for Waitematā and Gulf ward) I was deputy chair and chair of the Waitematā Local Board, co-chair of the Hauraki Gulf Forum, Deputy Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, member of the City Centre Advisory Board and board member National Council, Local Government New Zealand. During my 12 years on Auckland Council I reported monthly on my activities here
My wrap of the 2022 election result that brought an end to my elected role.
I was appointed to Te Runanga Papa Atawhai o Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland Conservation Board in August 2023 (unfortunately my term was cut short under the current government). In August 2025 I regained my practicing certificate (as an Employed Barrister) for the first time in 15 years so that I can work with Communities Against Alcohol Harm representing objectors in alcohol licensing hearings
Since 2006 I have lived in Grey Lynn with my partner Paul in a house my dad bought almost 40 years ago. An e-bike is my main form of transport but I do own a 1934 Austin 7 inherited from my dad.
Current roles
- Employed Barrister, Grant Hewison
- Chair, Aaiotanga Peace Place Trust
- Strategic adviser, Big Street Bikers
- Advisor, All Aboard Aotearoa Alliance
- Steering Committee member, GLOW Aotearoa – a 12 week candidate incubator, providing professional development support for community and climate leaders to stand for and thrive in local government.
- Campaign Committee member, City Vision
Campaigns
Over the last few years I have been involved with a number of campaigns:
- Coordinated the marketing and publicity as a member of City Vision’s successful local government election campaign 2025
- With All Aboard Aotearoa, Bike Auckland, Living Streets Aotearoa and Brake, the road Safety Charity coordinated the response to the government’s reversal of Auckland’s safe speeds
- part of the community team who successfully fought to save the inner west improvement projects
- Member of the Our Auckland LTP 2024 campaign to save the Ports of Auckland from public ownership,
- Coordinated the More for you, Better for Auckland “impossible” election campaign 2024 and stood as a candidate for Entrust.
Contact me
Find me on Facebook, Bluesky @pippacoom, Instagram @pippacoom, and Linkedin