Mason Harold Durie

Professor Sir Mason Durie is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most esteemed academics and public intellectuals, widely recognised for his pioneering work in Māori health, education, and development. His career, spanning more than five decades, has profoundly shaped public policy, mental health services, and Indigenous advancement across the motu.

Born in Gisborne in 1938 and raised in Feilding, Mason Durie affiliates with the Rangitāne, Ngāti Kauwhata and Ngāti Raukawa iwi and descends from a distinguished lineage of Māori leaders. His grandfather, John Mason Durie, was a respected Ngāti Kauwhata and Rangitāne leader and public servant. Educated at Manchester Street School and Te Aute College, Durie was inspired by trailblazing Māori doctors such as Sir Peter Buck and Sir Maui Pomare, which led him to pursue medicine at the University of Otago. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1963 and later earned a postgraduate diploma in psychiatry from McGill University in Canada.

Returning to New Zealand in 1970, Dr Durie applied his transcultural psychiatric training at Palmerston North Hospital, where he became Director of Psychiatry in 1978. His work with Māori communities led to the development of Te Whare Tapa Whā in 1982 - a holistic health model that redefined Māori wellbeing through four interconnected dimensions: wairua (spiritual), hinengaro (mental), tinana (physical), and whānau (family). This model has since become foundational in New Zealand’s health sector.

From 1986 to 1988, Dr Durie served on the Royal Commission on Social Policy, deepening his understanding of the socio-economic determinants of health. His influence extended into national mental health strategy, including the establishment of Te Rau Matatini, a Māori mental health workforce development organisation. In 2014, he chaired the leadership group for Waka Hourua, a national suicide prevention initiative for Māori and Pasifika communities.

Durie’s association with Massey University began in 1988, when he was appointed Professor and Head of the newly established Department of Māori Studies, later known as Te Pūtahi-a-Toi. Under his leadership, the department became a national leader in Māori development research, with a focus on language revitalisation, health, heritage, and social policy.

In 2002, Massey University created the role of Professor of Māori Research and Development specifically for Durie, recognising his scholarly leadership and contributions. He played a pivotal role in building Māori research capacity and mentoring emerging Māori scholars. That same year, he became the first person to receive a Doctor of Literature by examination from Massey University, based on three seminal works published by Oxford University Press.

Durie was knighted in 2009, becoming Professor Sir Mason Durie. That same year, he was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Massey University, a role in which he provided national academic leadership for Māori and Indigenous development. He was instrumental in shaping the University’s strategic direction, particularly in relation to Māori advancement. Before retiring in 2012, he led the establishment of Massey’s College of Health, reflecting his enduring commitment to public health and interdisciplinary education.

Even after retirement, Professor Sir Mason Durie has remained closely connected to Massey University as Emeritus Professor of Māori Research and Development, continuing to support research initiatives and provide thought leadership.

Throughout his career, Professor Durie has championed Māori higher education, supporting doctoral students and promoting Indigenous research leadership. He has provided strategic guidance to iwi and Māori organisations, helping communities realise their aspirations for socio-economic advancement. He is a founding member of Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngāti Kauwhata and a longstanding trustee of Aorangi Marae.

His governance roles have been extensive. He has served on the boards of Te Papa, the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, and the New Zealand Families Commission, and chaired the Ministerial Taskforce on Whānau Ora. He is patron of the Te Potiki National Trust, which fosters connections between marae, descendants, and visitors.

His scholarly contributions include numerous books, articles, and keynote addresses, with a Māori-centric approach to health, development, and social policy. His work has shaped thinking across government, academia, and frontline services.

Professor Sir Mason Durie’s achievements have been recognised with many honours. Together with his wife, Professor Arohia, Lady Durie, a distinguished education scholar and pioneer in Te Reo Māori immersion education, he formed a formidable partnership dedicated to Māori success across multiple domains.

Soft-spoken and deeply influential, Professor Sir Mason Durie continues to be a guiding figure in te ao Māori and a respected voice in shaping a more inclusive and equitable Aotearoa.

"Professor appointed to head new Maori Studies Department". MU. 33. 10 October 1988. Page 1. Retrieved 27 July 2025.

"Psychologists told to earn Māori confidence". Massey News. 33. 15 September 1997. Page 1. Retrieved 27 July 2025.

"New Chair of Māori Education". Massey News. 5. 9 April 2001. Page 1. Retrieved 27 July 2025.

"Professor Mason Durie in new leadership role". Massey News. 22. 25 November 2002. Page 1. Retrieved 27 July 2025.

"Massey University Graduation Programme, 2002-12-06, Palmerston North". Tāmiro. Massey University Library. Page 16. Retrieved 27 July 2025.

"Six Māori PhDs make history." Massey News. 23. 16 December 2002. Page 1. Retrieved 27 July 2025.

"Sir Mason Durie. Blake Medallist 2017". Blake. 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2025.

"Honorary doctorate citation, Mason Durie, 2018". Tāmiro. Massey University Library. Retrieved 27 July 2025.

Massey University Archives: "Professor Sir Mason Harold Durie". 2012. (Short biography)