Career
He became an associate professor in Auckland University of Technology School of Communication Studies in 2005 and a professor in 2011. In 1985, Doctor Robie sailed on board the Greenpeace eco-navy flagship Rainbow Warrior for 10 weeks until it was bombed by French secret agents in New Zealand’s Auckland harbour. He is the author of a book about the ill-fated voyage, Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior (Lindon Books, 1986).
An updated memorial edition of Eyes of Fire was published in July 2005 and a 30th anniversary edition in July 2015 (Little Island Press).
In 1993-1997, Robie headed the University of Papua New Guinea journalism programme and in 1998-2002 became coordinator of the University of the South Pacific journalism school where his students covered the 2000 George Speight coup d"état in Fiji. In 1999, Robie became the annual Australian Press Council Fellow and is an advocate of Pacific media freedom.
He specialises in Asia-Pacific issues and is now director of the Pacific Media Centre. Doctor Robie is author of several books on South Pacific media and politics, including Mekim Nius: South Pacific media, politics and education.