Ian Shearer

Ian John Shearer (10 December 1941 – 1 June 2021) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party, environmentalist and research scientist.

Early life and education Shearer was born at Whakatāne in 1941, the son of Jack Sewell Shearer. He received his education from Whakatane Primary and Whakatane High School. He completed bachelor's and master's degrees at Massey University in agricultural science and a PhD in reproductive physiology at the University of Nottingham.

Career Shearer spent nine years as an animal scientist at the Ruakura Research Centre before becoming a member of parliament in 1975.

After leaving politics Shearer was the dean of science and engineering at the Auckland University of Technology for nine years and served on the Waitangi Tribunal. He retired from public service in 2005.

Personal life Shearer was married twice, firstly to Sandra May Griffiths, the daughter of Ivor David Griffiths on 5 December 1964, and secondly to Cheryl. He and Sandra had one son and one daughter.

Shearer died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at his home in Whakatāne on 1 June 2021.

Publications The Boy from the Bay: an autobiography (2006) Whakatāne Hospital, Te Whatumauri Hauora : a history (2011) Ōwhakatoro : Sisam & Sons : from Clydesdales to computers (2013) – with Barrie Macdonald A century on Cameron Road : a history of Tauranga Hospital, 1914–2014 (2016) – with Dr Rex E Wright-St Clair Family – the Shearers of Ōkaiawa : the history of a pioneer family (2018) The adventures of Slim Jim (2020) Antarctica twice, and related issues (2020)