A Legacy of Visionary Leadership and Empowerment
Born on 4 December 1938, raised in Feilding, Tā (Sir) Mason Durie’s upbringing was steeped in the values of leadership and service. His paternal grandfather, John Mason Durie, a respected leader, played a pivotal role in shaping Mason and his siblings’ future.
Educated at Manchester Street Primary School and later Te Aute College, Mason thrived in an environment that fostered Māori leadership, inspiring him to pursue medicine after being influenced by notable Te Aute alumni, Sir Peter Buck (Te Rangi Hiroa) and Sir Maui Pomare.
Sir Mason graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Otago in 1963. He later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychiatry (PGDipPsych) at McGill University in Canada with Distinction. On returning to Aotearoa, he became Director of Psychiatry at Palmerston North Hospital, where he spearheaded innovative practices that integrated Māori values into health care.
In 1988, Tā Mason transitioned into academia as the inaugural Professor and Head of Māori Studies at Massey University. His tenure at Massey saw transformative contributions, including establishing Te Pūmanawa Hauora, the Centre for Māori Health Research, and pioneering the longitudinal study Te Hoe Nuku Roa, which provided crucial insights into Māori households. An ongoing legacy is the Massey University Māori mental health programme,Te Rau Puawai, providing up to 100 scholarships annually for Māori studying health-related subjects.
Sir Mason’s groundbreaking Te Whare Tapa Whā model fundamentally reshaped Māori and public health. It conceptualised health through four interconnected dimensions: wairua (spiritual), hinengaro (mental), tinana (physical), and whānau (family). This framework, adopted widely across the health sector, emphasises holistic and culturally aligned care.
Sir Mason Durie was a key figure in the establishment of Te Rau Matatini, a national organisation that develops the Māori mental health workforce, in response to the growing need for mental health services. Sir Mason held the role of Senior Advisor with Te Rau Matatini (rebranded in 2019 as Te Rau Ora) until 2023.
He also led the development of key initiatives such as:
- Waka Hourua: A national suicide prevention program for Māori and Pasifika communities.
- Whānau Ora: An indigenous health initiative emphasizing whānau-centred approaches.
Tā Mason has served on prominent boards and task forces, including:
- Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum (Founding Board Member)
- Foundation for Research, Science and Technology
- Guardians Group for Secondary Futures Project
- Commissioner New Zealand Families Commission
- Ministerial Taskforce on Whānau Ora (Chair)
- Te Kāhui Amokura (Chair, Vice-Chancellors’ Committee on Māori Advancement)
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Patron
- The Mental Health Foundation
- Alcohol Liquor Advisory Council
- Chair of the Standing Committee on Māori Health
- The Royal Commission on Social Policy
- The Māori Advisory Committee for the Law Commission
- Chair of the Core Health Services Committee
Sir Mason has championed higher education for Māori, mentoring students and fostering pathways for Indigenous academic excellence. He played pivotal roles in establishing secondary schools like Manukura and Tu Toa Trust, both promoting high academic and sporting success among Māori rangatahi.
An influential and accomplished author, Tā Mason’s works remain seminal references in Indigenous health, education and development:
- (2011) Ngā Tini Whetu: Navigating Māori Futures
- (2005) Ngā Tai Matatū: Tides of Māori Endurance
- (2003) Nga Kahui Pou, Launching Maori Futures
- (2001) Mauri Ora: The Dynamics of Māori Health
- (1998) Te Mana, Te Kāwanatanga: The Politics of Māori Self-Determination (1999 Review)
- (1994) Whaiora: Māori Health Development (1998 2nd ed.)
Sir Mason’s contributions have been widely recognised:
- Member of the Order of New Zealand (2020).
- Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2010).
- Honorary Doctor of Science from Simon Fraser University Canada (2014).
- Honorary Doctor of Laws from Otago University (2008)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand
- Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
- The Royal Society Te Apārangi Awards include the Mason Durie Medal.
Tā Mason Durie married Lady Arohia (nee Kōhere), a leading educator who developed New Zealand’s first graduate-level Te Reo Māori immersion program. Together, they raised daughters Awerangi and Hinemoana and sons Meihana and Pere, who are deeply connected to their whakapapa, and continuing the legacy of leadership and service.
Tā Mason’s leadership is rooted in his belief that Māori can thrive as both citizens of Aotearoa and the world. His life’s work—a synthesis of health, education, and cultural advocacy—ensures enduring legacies for future generations.
“We should strive to build a future where Māori can have good health and a high standard of living, where we can live as Māori and as citizens of the world” – Tā Mason Durie.
Links:
An independent Māori voice is needed by Tā Mason Durie. E-Tangata. 9 June 2024
Tā Mason Durie awarded NZ's top honour. Te Ao - Māori News. 31 December 2020
RACP Congress 2019 - The key to unlocking optimal health, Sir Mason Durie (YouTube)
Sir Peter Blake Trust Leaders 2017 Sir Mason Durie (Video)
Emeritus Professor Sir Mason Durie, Te Ritorito 2017: 'Opening address' (YouTube)
Palmerston North Boys High School Sir Mason Durie Biography. 30 June 2014
Indigenous health: New Zealand experience. What can the Treaty of Waitangi teach Australia about reducing disparities in health? Medical Journal of Australia article. July 2012.
Indigenous Mental Health 2035: Future Takers, Future Makers and Transformational Potential (2011).
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga New Zealand's Māori Centre of Research Excellence Profile
Whānau Ora: Report of the Taskforce on Whānau-Centered Initiatives (2010)
Prof Sir Mason Durie Measures of Māori Wellbeing The Treasury Guest Lecture 1 August 2006.
Hawke's Bay Professorial Lecture - Professor Sir Mason Durie (YouTube)
Professor Sir Mason Durie - Massey University Te Pūtahi-a-Toi School of Māori Knowledge 20 years Speech | Massey University (YouTube)
Kōrero with Sir Mason Durie and Michael Naera (YouTube)
Te Karere full interview with Sir Mason Durie (YouTube)
Ministry of Health - He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy launch - Sir Mason Durie (YouTube)
Lady Arohia Durie
Updated 27 January 2025
