Mason Durie farewell focuses on his Massey legacy

More than 120 current and former staff, graduates, students, University Council members and whänau attended a function at the Manawatū campus on Friday to farewell Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Māori and Pasifika) Sir Mason Durie.

Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey said Sir Mason’s legacy was the values he institutionalised in his 24 years at Massey. “When you leave here, leave here knowing that we want to literally carry on your legacy,” Mr Maharey said.

“This is an institution that cares intensely about the quality of learning, is absolutely committed to quality research and advancement of Māori and Pasifika. Social justice, success and public health issues are central to the way we live our lives. We are committed to a better New Zealand."

For the function Sir Mason wore the same kahukiwi (kiwi-feather cloak) he wore when he was welcomed to Massey in 1988. As on that day, he was accompanied by his wife Lady Arohia Durie. “Why I’m wearing this is that quite a number of people who accompanied me to Massey, including my father, have now passed on," he said. "So have some of the people who were receiving me. Wearing this is for them as well.”

The farewell included four panel discussions focussed on Sir Mason’s contribution to student success, research and scholarship, the University and tertiary sector. Panellists included former staff member and graduate Kirsty Maxwell, who spoke about Te Rau Puawai and Te Rau Matatini Māori, health scholarships and mental health workforce development initiatives led by Sir Mason.

Another panellist and graduate, Dr Huhana Smith, spoke about another of Sir Mason's initiatives, Te Rau Whakapūmau, which set out to increase the number of Māori doctoral scholars at Massey.

All the speakers focused on different topics in which Sir Mason had either led the process or was integrally involved.

Associate Professor Rukmani Gounder talked about Pasifika research; Professor Paul Spoonley talked about  scholarship; Associate Professor Annette Huntington talked about the University’s new College of Health; Assistant Vice-Chancellor and University Registrar Stuart Morriss talked about the Senior Leadership Team; Professor Bob Jahnke discussed Putahi a Toi, the School of Māori Studies; Victoria University Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Piri Sciacia talked about leadership; Te Wānanga o Aotearoa chief executive Bentham Ohia talked about the wänanga sector; and University of Hawaii Associate Professor Keawe Kaholokula discussed indigenous development.

A video of the farewell is online here.