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Prof Richard Shaw PhD, MA, BSW(Hons)
Professor in Politics
School of People, Environment and PlanningDirector (Arts)
College of Humanities and Social SciencesI am the Director BA (External Connections), in which capacity I promote the many merits of Massey's BA to external audiences. I'm also a Professor of Politics. I convene and teach Turangawaewae: Identity and Belonging in Aotearoa New Zealand, one of the core first year papers in the BA. I also teach undergraduate courses in New Zealand politics, and a postgraduate paper comparing governing in presidential and parliamentary systems. My research interests are in cabinet government systems, and specifically in the roles of political advisers in government ministers' offices.
I am a Professor of Politics and the Director BA (External Connections)
Professional
Contact details
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Ph: +64 6 356 9099 (ext. 2832)
Location: 3.31, Social Sciences Tower
Campus: Manawatu
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2002)
- Master of Arts - Massey University (1997)
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) - Massey University (1986)
Research Expertise
Research Interests
My research interests have to do with the nature of Cabinet government, public sector reform and new public management. I am also interested in governance theory, and in the core executive studies and public value literatures.
I have a particular interest in the roles and influence of ministers' political advisers (both nationally and internationally). Work which I have done in this area - often with Victoria University's Chris Eichbaum - has been published in leading journals such as Governance, Public Administration, Parliamentary Affairs and Public Management Review.
Thematics
21st Century Citizenship
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Citizenship (160602):
New Zealand Government and Politics (160608):
Policy and Administration (160500):
Political Science (160600):
Public Administration (160509):
Public Policy (160510):
Studies In Human Society (160000)
Keywords
I have expertise in governance, core executive studies, cabinet government systems, MMP and public sector reform
Research Projects
Summary of Research Projects
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Project Leader | 0 | 2 |
Completed Projects
Project Title: Strightening the spin: the roles of ministerial advisors
In recent years the number of politically appointed staff in the Beehive has grown. New Zealand government ministers have long drawn on the advice of impartial public servants, but recourse to partisan ministerial advisers is a relatively new phenomenon. Until very recently, little was known about these advisers. As a result of this project, however, we now know much more about the number of political advisers; the work they do; the nature of their relationships with ministers, public servants and other political actors; and the influence they wield.
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Date Range: 2007 - 2008
Funding Body: Massey University
Project Team:
- Prof Richard Shaw - Project Leader
Research Outputs
Journal
Shaw, R. (2021). A tale of two stories: Unsettling a settler family’s history in Aotearoa New Zealand. Genealogy. 5(26)
[Journal article]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Read Online: 
Shaw, R., & Eichbaum, C. (2020). ‘From ménage à trois back to pas de deux? Ministerial advisers, civil servants and the contest of policy ideas’. International Review of Public Policy.
[Journal article]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Read article at Massey Research Online:
Shaw, R., & Eichbaum, C. (2020). Bubbling up or cascading down? Public servants, political advisers and politicization. Public Administration. 98(4), 840-855
[Journal article]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Read Online:
Read Abstract: 
3
Shaw, R., & Eichbaum, DC. (2019). Still friends? Revisiting New Zealand public servants’ perceptions of ministerial advisers. Political Science. 71(2), 123-139
[Journal article]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Shaw, R.
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Read Abstract:
2
Shaw, R., & Eichbaum, C. (2017). Politicians, political advisers and the vocabulary of public service bargains: Speaking in tongues?. Public Administration. 95(2), 312-326
[Journal article]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Read Online:
Read Abstract:
19
16
Book
Shaw, R. (2020). Ministerial Advisers, Contestability and Politicization in the Core Executive in Westminster Systems. In H. Sullivan, H. Dickinson, & H. Henderson (Eds.) The Palgrave Handbook of the Public Servant.
[Chapter]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Chapter]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Read Online:
Shaw, R. (2020). New Zealand: Go hard and go early. In N. Georgeou, & C. Hawksley (Eds.) State Responses to COVID-19: A global snapshot as at 1 June 2020.
[Chapter]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Chapter]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Read article at Massey Research Online:
Read Online:
Shaw, R., & Eichbaum, C. (2018). Conclusion: New directions in studying ministerial advisers. In Ministers, Minders and Mandarins: An International Study of Relationships at the Executive Summit of Parliamentary Democracies. (pp. 198 - 217).
[Chapter]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Chapter]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Read Online:
2
Shaw, R., & Eichbaum, C. (2018). New Zealand: Bargains, compacts and covenants in the core executive. In Ministers, Minders and Mandarins: An International Study of Relationships at the Executive Summit of Parliamentary Democracies. (pp. 145 - 162).
[Chapter]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Chapter]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Read Online:
1
Shaw, R. (2018). Introduction: Ministers, minders and mandarins. In Ministers, Minders and Mandarins: An International Study of Relationships at the Executive Summit of Parliamentary Democracies. (pp. 1 - 14).
[Chapter]Authored by: Shaw, R.Edited by: Shaw, R.
[Chapter]Authored by: Shaw, R.Edited by: Shaw, R.
Read article at Massey Research Online:
Read Online:
Thesis
Shaw, RH. (2001). 'Shaping the bureau or maximising the budget? Rational choice, historical institutionalism and bureaucratic reform in New Zealand.'. (Doctoral Thesis, Massey University, Palmerston North, NZ)
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Report
Shaw, RH., Lineham, P., Morgan, C., Hansen, S., Forster, M., watson, G., . . . Bunnell, J.(2014). Redesigning the BA: Recommendations prepared for the Pro Vice Chancellor by the Arts Qualification Review Working Party. Massey University
[Technical Report]Authored by: Coleman, J., Forster, M., Hansen, S., Morgan, C., Shaw, R., Watson, G.
[Technical Report]Authored by: Coleman, J., Forster, M., Hansen, S., Morgan, C., Shaw, R., Watson, G.
Read Abstract:
Conference
Shaw, RH., Bedford, D., Gould, B., Hirini, P., Horn, C., Johnstone, D., . . . Vaughan, K. (2009, November). Making Waves? He Waka Tangata and the search for community. Presented at Sociological Association of New Zealand. Massey University, Palmerston North.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Shaw, RH.(2006). Policy-making in an evolving environment: Trends, threats and opportunities. . Wellington, NZ
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Eichbaum, C., & Shaw, RH. (2006). Barbarians at the gate? Special (Ministerial) Advisors, politicization and the threat to the civil service. Proceedings of the the British Political Studies Association Annual Conference. (pp. unpaged - 31).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Eichbaum, C., & Shaw, RH. (2006). Labour in government, social democracy, and the third way: The New Zealand experience. Proceedings of the British Political Studies Association Annual Conference. (pp. unpaged - 28).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Eichbaum, C., & Shaw, RH.(2006). If ministerial advisors are the answer, then what is the question? Issues of governance and policy capability in the New Zealand context. . Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Other
Shaw, R. (2021). From Parihaka to He Puapua: it’s time Pākehā New Zealanders faced their personal connections to the past. : The Conversation
[Internet publication]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Shaw, R. (2021). A year on from New Zealand’s big lockdown the ‘team of 5 million’ needs a new story.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Shaw, R. (2020). Contrasting styles, some substance: 5 experts on the first TV leaders’ debate of NZ’s election.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Shaw, R.Contributed to by: Shaw, R.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Shaw, R.Contributed to by: Shaw, R.
Shaw, R. (2020). Jacinda Ardern and Labour returned in a landslide — 5 experts on a historic New Zealand election.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Shaw, R.Contributed to by: Shaw, R.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Shaw, R.Contributed to by: Shaw, R.
Shaw, R. (2020). Experts are back in fashion – now more than ever we need to question them.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Shaw, R.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Shaw, R.
Teaching and Supervision
Courses Coordinated
- 230.110 Tūrangawaewae: Identity & Belonging in Aotearoa NZ
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Main Supervisor | 0 | 1 |
| Co-supervisor | 0 | 1 |
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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2012
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Kathryn Hay
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Doctor of Philosophy
Agenda success? The prospects for sub-regional human rights arrangements in the Pacific
Co-supervisor of:
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2008
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Kathy Stuart
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Doctor of Philosophy
Emotional labour and occupational identity: Passionate rationality in the New Zeland parliamentary workplace
Media and Links
Media
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31 Aug 2017 - Online
The new normal in our elections? Don't bet on it
op-ed on the Stuff website -
30 Sep 2015 - Radio, Online
Humanities Deans warn against publishing job data
Interview with Nine to Noon -
30 Jul 2013 - Newspaper
Time to get a grip on politics for our own good
Opinion piece published in the Dominion Post -
29 Nov 2018 - Video, Online
Interview on Our Civic Future
Interview on TVNZ's Breakfast Show -
29 Jan 2019 - Online
Why Trump's wall rhetoric is about power
Article on the partial government shutdown in the US; published in The Conversation, read by XX people and reproduced by five other media outlets. - view more...