Vale Dr George Mason ONZM

His lifelong interest in plants and preserving the environment has led him to donate millions of dollars to environmental research and study opportunities for young people nationally. During his life he provided numerous post graduate scholarships in the biological and marine sciences, made grants to scholars undertaking biological science research including international exchange, assisted many to have support to study for a degree or diploma in science, promoted the advancement of education in the performing and visual arts and made provision for the sick and infirm.

A major charitable donation in 2016 allowed the establishment of the George Mason Centre for the Environment, a multidisciplinary research centre, based in the University of Auckland Faculty of Science, which to date has funded 21 projects focused on environmental restoration, conservation and sustainability and supported 12 postdoctoral researchers and five PhD students.

Locally this included ten Puke Ariki postgraduate scholarships for research on the natural environment in the Taranaki region, support for many academics to give lectures at Puke Ariki, and sponsorship of reading programmes.

Here at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, George has enabled a wonderful annual visual arts scholarship since 2016, supporting, to date, eight secondary school arts students to pursue tertiary training. Learn more about the Scholarships enabled by the George Mason Charitable Trust here. 

Through his Trust, Dr George Mason was a loyal and generous supporter of growing knowledge and empowering our young people to follow their interests into the fields of art and science. He set an astounding example of a philanthropist who only wanted others to benefit.

He will be sadly missed by a great many but leaves a remarkable legacy.