Career
He is also part owner of Meadow Mushrooms. Burdon was an Member of Parliament from 1981 to 1996, representing the National Party. He was first elected to Parliament in the 1981 elections as Member of Parliament for the Christchurch electorate of Fendalton, and was re-elected for that electorate until leaving Parliament at the 1996 elections.
He was the New Zealand Minister of State Owned Enterprises from 1993 to 1996.
As of 2009, Philip Burdon is chairman of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.