Sir Mason Durie (Rangitāne, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Raukawa) has been at the forefront of the changing approach to Māori health and developments in mental health for 40 years. He has been Professor of Psychiatry, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Māori and Pasifika) and Professor of Māori Research and Development at Massey University.
As well as his academic posts, Mason has served on various organisations, including the boards of Te Papa Tongarewa and the Foundation for Research Science and Technology. He has been a commissioner for the New Zealand Families Commission and chaired the Ministerial Taskforce on Whānau Ora. He has published widely and regularly presented addresses and papers at national and international conferences. Mason is also a leader in higher education for Māori and Māori development and regularly assists iwi and Māori communities to realise their aspirations for socioeconomic advancement.
In 2010 Mason was knighted for services to Māori health and public health services. In 2012 Mason retired from Massey University. He remains involved in a wide range of tertiary, educational, health and social services boards.
