I was born in 1958 in Wellington but grew up in Gisborne (the first city on the planet to see the light of the new day).

My parents, Ivan and Patricia are alive and well and still live in Gisborne is a beautiful unit in a retirement village.

I have lived in various parts of Wellington for the past 33 years and agree it is absolutely, positively wonderful!

I can be contacted by:
- Phone : (04) 934-6224 or 022-6102-910
- Email: pete@cowleyconsulting.co.nz
- Postal: PO Box 15-324, Miramar, Wellington 6243
- Street: Unit 2/56 Ira Street, Miramar

My Interests

• I am interested and involved in many aspects of community life covering three broad areas:
  Spirituality, Social Justice, Arts & Culture. I am a member of several not-for-profit community organisations in the following areas:
• Spirituality - I am interested in exploring religious thought and expression from a non-dogmatic and human-oriented standpoint. I am a member of St. Andrew's on The Terrace Church (Parish Clerk), St. Andrew's trust for the Study of Religion and Society (Treasurer), Sea of Faith (Treasurer), and Ephesus (Webmaster). My spiritual home is St. Andrews on the Terrace (Presbyterian) and often referred to as "the thinking person's church" (see here for why!!) and Galaxies (Gay and Lesbian and Christian-ish in every sphere)
  - I enjoy learning about other spiritual streams and faiths. There is a common essence to nearly all faiths of love and compassion for all creation and especially each other. However, the power hungry and fanatical always seem to be able to turn it around and justify evil in the name of God.
• Social Justice issues - Doing what I can to raise awareness of and give support to those struggling for justice and equality. I have a high awareness of ecological, poverty, and unjust treatment in this world. I am involved in organisations that support Social Justice issues. I am a member of the Social Justice Committee at St. Andrews on the Terrace.  I have a particular interest in the peaceful resolution of differences - The United Nations and the World Council of Churches proclaimed 2000 - 2010 as the 'Decade to overcome violence'. I am a member of Peace Movement Aotearoa, Amnesty International, Greenpeace and also Treasurer for The Wellington people's Centre.
• I enjoy performance art (dance, plays etc) and learning about other cultures as well as celebrating my own cultural heritage. I am a member of several groups: Friends of the Royal New Zealand Ballet (Newsletter, Webmaster, Forums), Friends of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Out Wellington (Treasurer), Galaxies (Convener and Treasurer).

Hobbies

• Creating and Hosting Web sites. These are the sites I currently run:
  - Victor Young - Ship Negative catalogue
  
  - Fergus Collinson - Jazz Art Painter
  
  - Galaxies (Gay & Lesbian & Christian In Every Sphere)
  
  - Disability, Spirituality and Faith Network, Aotearoa/New Zealand
  
  - Norman Knipe - Wellington Celebrant
  
  - Ephesus (spiritual seeking in a non-threatening way)
  
  - Wellington Friends of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
  
  - Strumpet - Galaxies Gals making great music
  
  - Heatherlea Gardens - Fantastic B&B in Levin
  
  - Random Theatre - Ernest Leaning's Play
  
  - Plumstead Stories - Colin's website of collected storied from where he grew up
  
• Listening to music (mainly popular easy listeningg (at least easy to compute by), classical (in concert), some light opera, country & western, and a little bit of good Jazz/Blues)
• Helping my friends become Internet savvy (a major labour of love!!)
• Helping others on their journey through life.
• I treat people with kindness and respect and like to think I obey the golden rule: Don't do to others what I wouln't like them to do to me. Sometimes it is much harder than it seems ...

Work Skills

• Technical Help desk - supporting customers with computer and operational issues.
• Computer Systems Analyst/Programmer - developing and implementing systems, programs and procedures using a full Systems Development Life Cycle.
• Business Analyst - understanding the needs of the business and translating that to functional specifications.
• I am able to quickly grasp the core issues and develop pragmatic solutions.
• Various administration positions within Government and private enterprise
• I am friendly, helpful and enjoy supporting and encouraging success, my own and others around me.