His love for plants blossomed as a 10-year-old growing vegetables for his family during the Second World War. Eighty-four years later, and one year after his passing, that passion is as alive as ever at the University of Waikato.
On Monday, the University signed an agreement to receive a $5 million donation from the wind up of the George Mason Charitable Trust, ensuring the legacy of Dr George Mason ONZM continues to support science, research and environmental stewardship for generations to come.
Established in 1995, the George Mason Charitable Trust has provided millions of dollars for environmental and biological research and postgraduate scholarships. The trust first gave to Waikato in 2008 and has supported 20 scholarships and research projects.
This final gift to Waikato will support multi-disciplinary research for the natural environment in the Te Aka Mātuatua School of Science and Te Kura Mata-Ao School of Engineering, research that reveals the connections within and between nature and society to inform action, build new technology and support innovative policy and solutions-focused research that aligns with Dr Mason’s vision.
Dr Mason passed away in September 2024 at the age of 94, following a lifetime dedicated to supporting environmental and biological research, education, the arts and conservation across New Zealand.
Long standing relationship with Waikato
Scholarship recipient and third-year PhD student in Ecology and Biodiversity Hannah Rogers says funding like this is what makes research possible.
“Without it, doing a PhD simply wouldn’t be an option for many of us.”
She recalls meeting Dr Mason early in her doctoral studies.
“He was incredibly passionate about research, particularly in the Taranaki region. I was grateful to meet him and discuss my plans at the beginning of my PhD.”
Hannah’s research focuses on epiphyte-host relationships in urban ecosystems. She studied a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science (Research) in Environmental Sciences, which she achieved with First Class Honours.
Chair of the George Mason Charitable Trust Barry Upson says the wind up of the trust and the transfer of funds was something Dr Mason planned well in advance.
“George wanted the scholarships and research support provided by the trust for many years continue long after his death,” Barry says. “By transferring responsibility back to the University, that’s exactly what this gift will achieve.”
Friendship welcomed to Waikato
Dr Mason’s support stemmed from a long-lasting friendship with Professor Bruce Clarkson from the School of Science.
“I introduced him to all our students directly and gave them the opportunity to attend international forums as part of their PhD,” Professor Clarkson says.
“He was always interested in the students. Meeting them, talking about their research, encouraging them – that was the best part of the relationship for him.”
A relationship spanning almost 50 years as mentor and sponsor, colleague and friend; Dr Mason played a key role in supporting Professor Clarkson’s early postgraduate research in Taranaki and helped find the funding to publish his 1986 monograph on the vegetation of Mt Taranaki/Egmont National Park.
“George was deeply committed to research that made a difference. He wasn’t interested in research for its own sake – he wanted to understand its value and impact, particularly for conservation and the environment.”
Dr Mason himself benefited from early support in his career, having been sponsored by Dan Watkins, founder of the agrichemical manufacturer Ivon Watkins Limited in New Plymouth, to complete his doctorate at the University of California, Davis. This opportunity shaped his career and inspired his commitment to paying that support forward.
"He was one of a kind,” Professor Clarkson says. “A sharp intellect who always kept me on my toes and a friend I could call at any time.”
A life of legacy and generosity
The youngest of four children, young Dr Mason enjoyed helping his family by planting and tending vegetables and flowers for the family table on a neighbouring section on Auckland’s North Shore in 1930. He studied botany and chemistry at the University of Auckland before embarking on a distinguished career as a research scientist and environmentalist, particularly in Taranaki where he lived for more than 60 years.
He established the George Mason Centre for the Environment at the University of Auckland, funded research at universities including Waikato, Lincoln and Victoria University of Wellington, and supported Te Papa Museum.
At Waikato, postgraduate scholarships were initially awarded on the basis of individual applications, but from 2017 the trust funded the Integrated Taranaki Ecosystem Model (ITEM), which included scholarships and postgraduate theses on topics ranging from alpine herbfields, native bird habitat, stream food web ecology and coastal ecosystem health in relation to catchment health.
In 1988, Dr Mason co-founded the company Zelam with business partner Dr Peter Hayward. Two-thirds of his 50 per cent share of the company’s equity was later placed into the George Mason Charitable Trust.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr Mason was awarded the 2010 New Zealand Plant Protection Medal and appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2020.
The University of Waikato’s $5 million allocation forms part of a wider distribution of $25 million to universities across New Zealand, reflecting Dr Mason’s long-standing commitment to higher education and environmental research.
