LET’S MEET FOR COFFEE, PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BLACK AND WHITE COFFEE CARTEL
At their favourite spot, Black and White Coffee Cartel in Avonhead, Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and his wife Chrissy settle in with coffees and delicious slices.
“You come in and ask for a stuffed potato for breakfast and they look sideways at you,” Phil said, laughing. “But they are good. And they are vegan and gluten free. The more I eat, the healthier I get.”
Chrissy smiled at her husband’s breakfast choice. “That’s Phil all over,” she said. “He likes what he likes, and I have learned to just go along with it.”
The couple are open about the realities of public life. Chrissy admitted that when Phil first wanted to stand for mayor, she was not convinced. “At the beginning, three years ago I was a bit uneasy, but I knew he really wanted to do it. And I think he should be doing it. It is where his passion lies.”
Phil nodded. “If you like the job, you do it. If you do not like it, you do not do it. I love it. There is always something happening. I come home and tell Chrissy about my day and she shares hers.
“Chrissy is my best asset by a long shot. The number of times I come home late at night and she has dinner waiting, and she is always positive. No matter what kind of day I have had, I walk in and she is there with a smile.”
Public scrutiny, however, is not always easy. Chrissy admitted it took some getting used to. “At first it was tough. Twelve hour days are not uncommon. People see the ribbon cuttings, but they do not see the hours behind it. Family time is harder to juggle now. But I am used to it.”
Phil said one piece of advice had stayed with him. “The best advice I ever got from Lianne Dalziel was do not read the comments. Otherwise you take them to heart. It is too easy for people to sit behind a screen and type something cruel. You cannot let it get to you.”
Chrissy smiled and added, “Sometimes I will take a peek if someone mentions something, but mostly I stay away from them.”
Away from politics, Chrissy has her own escape. “I am in a walking group with about 6 women. We head up the hills most mornings, Monday to Friday. It is not just about the fitness, it is about the company. We solve the problems of the world on those walks,” she said with a laugh.
The couple’s greatest joy is their nine grandchildren. “They are the best medicine,” Chrissy said. “No matter what kind of day you are having, the moment you see one of them, everything feels lighter.”
Phil agreed. “You come home with your head full of council business, and then the grandchildren come down. The innocence in their voices, the fun they bring, it is just good for the soul.”
The pair also reflected on their journey together. They first met more than twenty years ago. “We knew each other before we both separated,” Chrissy said. “We were in the same group of friends.”
When asked if it was love at first sight, Chrissy chuckled. “Not really.”
“I had to do some work,” Phil admitted. Chrissy quickly added, “We had known each other a long time before things really began.”
These days, their love of Christchurch is as strong as their bond.
“We have been to hell and back in Christchurch over the past 15 years,” Phil said. “The earthquakes, the fires, the mosque shootings, Covid. But we are resilient. People are moving here from Auckland and Wellington because they like our way of life.”
Chrissy said she had noticed the change too. “When we walk into town, it is buzzing. People are happy, out walking, enjoying the city. There is a real sense of optimism.”
Phil pointed to the big projects he believes will carry Christchurch forward. “The stadium will be great, but the real hidden gem is Parakiore Metro Sports. Pools, hydro slides, high performance sport, basketball, netball, badminton. It is going to bring national events here constantly. Christchurch is really on fire, in a good way.”
For Chrissy, the east of the city still holds a special place. “New Brighton has always had a vibe about it. We used to go there every Saturday when the shops were open. The hot pools have made such a difference, and you can feel things changing. It is exciting to see.”
Looking to the future, Phil said his focus was clear. “We have to keep the momentum going. We have Ed Sheeran, New Zealand Fashion Week, supercars, the Special Olympics. People are investing their heart and soul into this city, and it is paying off. Christchurch is really shining.”
