Robert Shaw, Porirua City, Wellington

I'm Robert Shaw

Welcome to my home page

Life I am proud to live in Porirua City, which is in the Wellington Region. Our city is diverse, progressive and concerned to enhance the natural environment.

The Porirua Wellington Web Blog is here>

The Astronomy Aotearoa web site is here>

Education sector

I'm a senior lecturer in business management at the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. My research interests relate to government management, company governance, and business strategy. My theoretical interests mainly relate to Wittgenstein, Kant, and Heidegger, and concepts of truth and pedagogy. Some of my research is about curriculum theory and the e-learning. At present I am the secretary of the Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia.

The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand is a distance learning education provider with many degree and diploma courses. The Open Polytechnic began life over 65 years ago as a government institution and became an independent business responsible for its own marketing, and product development. For a few years I was a member of the governing Council.

Porirua City Council

At present, I am in my forth term as an elected member of the Porirua City Council. I chair the City Services Committee. The main challenge for the council is to reduce property taxes and tighten its financial control systems. We also need to revise the District Plan, which sets out the rules for town planning. Twice, I have stood for the mayoralty.

Greater Wellington - The Regional Council

From 1998 to 2001, I was an elected member of the Wellington Regional Council. I was deputy chairperson of the Utility Services Committee that managed Wellington's water supply including water catchments reserves. On the Landcare Committee I was pleased to be involved in the establishment of two new regional parks (Whitireia Regional Park and the Wairarapa Wetlands Regional Park). More>

Justice of the Peace

People ask, what does a Justice of the Peace do? They have two roles: they sit on the bench of District Courts to hear minor cases, and issue search warrants to the Police (called their judicial duties); and they take oaths, and witness signatures (ministerial duties).

Astronomy education

One of my interests is the development of astronomy education. As a former head of physics in secondary schools, I know the power of astronomy to motivate students.

New Zealand's National Observatory is established by Act of Parliament to advance astronomy in the national interest. The Carter Observatory is New Zealand's National Observatory. From 1989 to 1996 I was a member of the Board. From 1995 until 2007, I developed and managed the distance education unit which teaches online into primary and secondary schools throughout New Zealand. Today, I produce books for secondary school students, provide teacher education, and maintain the web site www.astronomyaotearoa.net

Community education

Tawa College runs a great series of community education classes in many subjects. For over 12 years I have taught courses there, for fun. The courses I teach are "Design Databases & Drive Microsoft Access" and a number of shorter courses on internet skills and internet marketing. In 2004 I began a course entitled "The Death of God and the Meaning of Life " which is based on Julian Young's book of the same name.

Personal

I have two children, Andrew aged 26 and Melissa aged 19. I am trying to grow a native bush on a small suburban section and support some local conservation groups. My retreat for writing and family holidays is in Taranaki province, The Opunake Railway Cottage.