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The Phoenix Astronomical Society Council Members
Formed in December 1997, during his term TPAS grew to be the second largest astronomical society in New Zealand. This phenomenal growth in membership in such a short time is a tribute to Richard and other dedicated members of the Society in the promotion and education of astronomy, by making it readily accessible to the wider public community. Richard has been the motivating driving force behind the Society, building a first rate recreational observatory and clubrooms in the Wairarapa, the publication of the New Zealand Almanac (11th edition pending). He has co-authored Work of the Gods: a book on Maori astronomy; How to Gaze at the Southern Stars; Stonehenge Aotearoa, the complete Guide and an Alpha series publication on Stonehenge Aotearoa. He has established a reputation as an enthusiastic inspirational speaker not only informing but also making astronomy exciting to all levels of the general public. His innovative contributions to science include the development of astronomical courses specifically aimed at the general public, the production of a New Zealand Almanac, the staging of annual public astronomical events, the establishment of a first-rate astronomical facility, and co-research into and dissemination of Maori astronomy.
Ian has been a member of TPAS and a Council member for ten years, as well as being the President of the Palmerston North Astronomical Society, and a founding member and past president of the Foxton Beach Astronomical Society, of which he is currently vice-president. He has been the North Island Coordinator of the Aurora & Solar Section of the R.A.S.N.Z. since 1993. Ian is the co-author of the “Night Sky Observer’s Guide, Vol III, The Southern Section.” email:
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Paul has been employed in the IT industry in a variety of different roles over the past 44 years and for 4 years served as chairman of the Sanctum Apartments Body Corporate Committee. He will bring to the council his experience in project management, financial controls, and risk management. email:
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She worked at the Carter Observatory for seven years, half of that full-time. Whilst at the Observatory she lectured in the astronomy diploma course, made a planetarium show for the Ministry of Education and ran the front of house. Since then she has been working in the business arena whilst studying psychology. She has held senior management positions for the last seven years. She is presently the Branch Planner for Wellington Branch Committee of the Human Resources Institute of NZ and on the NZ Institute of Management YPN Committee. She is interested in assists the society planning and communications, and helped develop the current society business plan. email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Paul organises events with telescopes on the street, live music performances, runs camera crews for documentaries and live video screens at major music and cultural festivals, and performs as vj, dj and dubmaster moza. Paul was awarded a global gold medal for ‘Most Outstanding Individual’ for record breaking astronomy events for the International Year of Astronomy 2009. Paul is StarPeace Ambassador for New Zealand and National Organiser for Sidewalk Astronomers for New Zealand. Paul runs Astronomy Aotearoa and Sharing Space astronomy groups, and is a founding member of both Levin Stargazers and KiwiSpace. Paul has been interviewed about art and astronomy by National Television, Radio, and Newspapers, and is currently displayed in an audio-visual at Carter Observatory and Paul has exhibited at major galleries across New Zealand and is selected for exhibition in Istanbul. Paul is an international speaker at major conferences across Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. email:
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Edwin keeps the webpage updated, contributes photos and articles to the newsletter, is involved in observing nights and meetings, and I helps out on working bees at the observatory. email:
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Nick is looking forward to working with the Council and the Society members on the great plans for the future of TPAS. He’s hoping to turn his relative astronomical inexperience in to an asset by helping to look at ways that the Society’s great collective wealth of knowledge can be more easily accessed by newbies just setting out on the journey of astronomical discovery. email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
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Richard Hall (President) - For the past 30 years, Richard Hall has been a dedicated promoter of astronomy in New Zealand serving on committees and as President of several astronomical societies. He was the founding President of the Phoenix Astronomical Society (TPAS). 
Ian Cooper (Vice-President) - Ian lives at Glen Oroua on the Manawatu plains between Palmerston North and the coast. He has been an active amateur astronomer for 37 years.
Paul Sadlier (Treasurer) - Paul has been a member of Phoenix Astronomical Society for a number of years. He was involved with the construction of Stonehenge Aotearoa.
Katrina Leather (Secretary) - Katrina was one of the founding members of the Phoenix Council. 
Paul Moss - Paul Moss is a ‘New Media’ artist, specialising in astro-photography and astro-video, for entertainment, illustrative purposes, and art gallery installations, and has been published in newspaper and magazine articles, CD covers, posters, calendar’s/almanac’s, including the NZ award winning book, ‘Astronomy Aotearoa’. 
Edwin Rodley - Edwin has always had a strong interest in Space and Astronomy, he enjoys following NASA missions and science news. He has been an active member of the Phoenix Astronomical Society for over 10 years and enjoys talking about astronomy to anyone. 
Nick Hird - Nick’s early forays into Astronomy date back to the mid 80s, where as an enthusiastic, but clueless schoolboy, he acquired through Birthday and Christmas presents, an entry level scope and Encyclopaedias of the Universe. Nick and Marie have been regulars at the Wellington Meetings, with the odd guest appearance at the Wairarapa meetings thrown in. They have attended several viewing evenings.