From Doug Leeder, Chair Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Kua hinga te totara o te wao nui a Tāne. E te rangatira, takoto mai i to moenga roa.
The totara of the forest of Tāne has fallen. May he rest peacefully in his eternal resting place.
Councillors and staff at Bay of Plenty Regional Council were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Councillor Philip Sherry during the weekend. Philip served the council as a Tauranga constituent councillor for four terms, from 2004 to 2016 – two of those as deputy Chair.
Philip had an illustrious career in broadcasting over many decades being part of a generation where the ‘broadcaster announcer’ was part of most New Zealand families and homes. Bringing news to New Zealanders was a mainstay of quality in both content and presentation; Philip excelled at these attributes and was universally recognised and respected.
After broadcasting Philip moved into Local Government where again his attributes were recognised in being clinical yet fair to the many ratepayers and citizens he represented for more than 20 years.
My direct involvement has been Chair of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council where Philip served four terms as a Regional Councillor. His aptitude for preparation and concise deliberations gained him great respect from his Council colleagues, so much that he served two terms as the Deputy Chair.
I also note Philip’s special special interest in public transport – he was a great believer in free fares for children and was often a representative for Toi Moana in the community through its work with Enviroschools and the Environmental Enhancement Fund.
We send our condolences to Philip’s whānau.
ENDS
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