Te Herenga Waka pays tribute to Dr George Mason ONZM—a great philanthropist and environmentalist
The University was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr George Mason ONZM on 13 September aged 94. Dr Mason was a generous contributor to our marine biology programme, supporting the research group led by Professor James Bell to expand and make discoveries about little-researched ecosystems.
“Not only did George distribute millions of dollars to scientific endeavour through his charitable trust, he built a lifetime of connections with academics and researchers.
“His legacy is in the progress he enabled, and the network of students and researchers whose careers have been supported through his legacy,” says Professor Bell.
Growing up in Auckland during World War II, George started maintaining the family garden from a young age and developed an encyclopaedic knowledge of plants. This led to an undergraduate and Master’s degree in botany from the University of Auckland, followed by a doctorate in plant physiology from UC Davis, California.
On his return to New Zealand, George built an incredibly successful career in the agricultural chemicals industry in Taranaki, including the ownership of various valuable patents and intellectual property for new products, such as less toxic timber treatments.
Philanthropy supporting students and conservation into the future
In 1995, George established the George Mason Charitable Trust with a proportion of the royalties from his chemical production company Zelam, realising that they would produce more money than he could spend.
The George Mason Charitable Trust has since donated millions of dollars to scholarships, education, and postgraduate research all over Aotearoa, including significant funding for Dr James Bell—Professor of Marine Biology—and his research group to study Temperate Mesophotic Ecosystems (TMEs). TMEs are rich marine communities that exist in the transition zone from light to dark between 20 and 150 metres in depth.
The Trust also purchased two Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) which allowed researchers to access areas beyond the range of divers, as well as funding postgraduate research scholarships for Victoria University students.
This research has ‘shone a light’ on how these biodiversity hotspots may be responding to climate change, supported student-led research projects, and developed future leaders in marine science.
Victoria’s TME group is now the global leader in TME research. They have discovered thriving sponge gardens off the Wellington coast and recently uncovered the bleaching and death of tens of millions of sea sponges in marine heatwaves, attracting global media attention.
Professor Bell says George's philanthropy through the George Mason Charitable Trust is a gift that has underpinned scientific research and supported careers across Aotearoa New Zealand.
“George was inspiring, sharp, and encouraging of all those he chose to work with. As an academic himself, George's commitment to lifelong learning saw him capably navigate his fields of interest even into his 90s. I will remember George for asking me some of the hardest questions I've ever been asked in my career, and challenging and supporting me with his curiosity and wit.”
In 2019, George was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to conservation, philanthropy, and the community.
George’s passionate and generous philanthropic support for fellow researchers, combined with his own scientific innovations, has significantly enhanced the nation’s expertise in ecology, leading to notable improvements in Aotearoa New Zealand’s ecosystems and biodiversity. This work is helping pave the way for a healthier and more sustainable future.
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is truly grateful for the progress we have made through his far-sighted generosity and would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Trustees of the George Mason Charitable Trust for the loss of their beloved and highly esteemed friend and colleague.