Mason Durie

Sir Mason Durie (Rangitane, Ngati Kauwhata, Ngati Raukawa) has been at the forefront of the changing approach to Maori health and developments in mental health for over forty years. He has been Professor of Psychiatry, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Maori and
Pasifika) and Professor of Maori Research and Development at Massey University. As well as his academic posts, Sir Mason has served on many 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 Whanau Ora. He has published widely and regularly presented papers at national and international conferences. Sir Mason is also a leader in higher education for Maori and Maori development and assists iwi and Maori communities to realise their aspirations for socioeconomic advancement. In 2010 he was knighted for services to Maori health and public health services.