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Pippa Coom
Pippa Coom
Founding Grey Lynn 2030 Trustee and former Auckland Councillor, Pippa Coom is a long- time local who continues to be inspired by the group’s positive vision and practical action.
Your motivation for getting involved ?
In December 2008 I read about a community meeting in the local newspaper with the question “Do you want to be part of a positive, sustainable future for Grey Lynn?” This immediately appealed to me as it wasn’t so long since I’d moved back to Auckland and made the decision I wanted to serve my community in some way.
That first Grey Lynn 2030 meeting has led to many sustainability adventures, inspired a heap of positive community action and provided me with valued local connections. The Margaret Meads quote adopted by Grey Lynn 2030 resonates for me: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.
One example is the Grey Lynn Business Association successfully becoming a Business Improvement District with a targeted rate 15 years after Grey Lynn 2030 identified the need for a local business association and hosted the first meeting. I was a founding committee member.
What is your connection to Grey Lynn?
My connections to Grey Lynn go back to my family’s migration to New Zealand in 1982 when we stayed with friends of friends on Castle Street. I’m fortunate to have come full circle living with my partner in the Grey Lynn house my dad bought in 1987. My mum lives nearby at Co-haus.
What community work do you do?
Involvement in Grey Lynn 2030 was also my launchpad into local government politics.
In October 2010 I was elected onto the Waitematā Local Board going on to serve 12 years on council. It has been wonderful to see many of Grey Lynn 2030’s projects delivered over this time in particular the Community Resource Recovery Centre Waiorea which was inspired by an early Grey Lynn 2030 meeting with the late Warren Snow.
My community work continues advocating for safe streets, volunteering with Predator Free Grey Lynn and campaigning to make sure good people are elected at the local government elections coming up in October (I am on the City Vision campaign committee).
I’m a regular at the Grey Lynn Farmers market every week ( I was chair of the management committee for 5 years). It is the best place for catching up with the locals.
Pippa Coom
Social media @pippacoom
