Phillip originally hails from Reporoa. His upbringing and living rurally in the Western Bay of Plenty District for many years, including developing his own orchard, gives him a strong appreciation of the rural environment. Phillip has been with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council for 23 years. As the policy planning manager he has been involved with the evolution of the Protection Lot Rule in district plans from the very beginning. Originally they were bush protection lots for on-site subdivision but now they are a tradable commodity allowing the rights to a title to be transferred to elsewhere in the district.